Big Mama Thornton, Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Music, Elvis, & Facts

Big Mama Thornton was an influential and overlooked American singer and songwriter whose gritty vocals and instrumental style had tremendous influence on blues, R&B, and rock and roll. Thornton’s work inspired imitation by Elvis Presley and Janis Joplin, who recorded popular cover versions of Thornton’s “Hound Dog” and “Ball and Chain,” respectively.

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