She also wrote Ball and Chain in 1968 and was the first to record it:
She died at age 57, found by medical personnel in a Los Angeles boarding house of heart and liver disease due to longstanding alcohol abuse.
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Big Mama Thornton
Today is the anniversary of the death in 1984 of Big Mama Thornton, perhaps best known as the original singer of Hound Dog:
She also wrote Ball and Chain in 1968 and was the first to record it:
She died at age 57, found by medical personnel in a Los Angeles boarding house of heart and liver disease due to longstanding alcohol abuse.
She also wrote Ball and Chain in 1968 and was the first to record it:
She died at age 57, found by medical personnel in a Los Angeles boarding house of heart and liver disease due to longstanding alcohol abuse.
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I thought Hound Dog was strictly Elvis
ReplyDeleteShe was first in 1953. His was a few years later. It's hers that's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll" list and that's in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Deleteoops, hers was in '52. Elvis covered it in '56.
DeleteToo bad she died so young. What a fabulous voice!
ReplyDeleteWikipedia says, "She had lost 355 pounds (161 kg) in a short time as a result of illness, her weight dropping from 450 to 95 pounds." That'd be hard!
DeleteIt's sad how drugs and alcohol take so many great singers and musicians. They seem to think they are immune, somehow. My musician friend Joseph has seen it up close and very personal. Mama Thornton had a beautiful voice, though.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad to see the damage done :( So much unnecessary loss :(
DeleteGreat song and voice. I didn't realize she sang it first, before Elvis.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as an FYI, the song below mentions old movies and Fairbanks, as well as other movie stars. The video to accompany the words is good, too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNugjm0iNxU
Elvis was a treasure. He did have a good ear for a suitable song.
DeleteOh, that video! The art is perfect for the song, and the song is perfect for a film-lover :) Thx!
Fabulous voice, and I even know these songs, that's something! Valerie
ReplyDeleteHer voice was powerful, wasn't it!
DeleteTwo versions I had no idea existed from the original songwriter! You continue to surprise. :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting to see which releases catch on.
Delete