Alabama NewsCenter — Alabama native ‘Big Mama’ Thornton to be honored in her hometown

By Bob Blalock
Alabama NewsCenter

The not-yet-legendary songwriting duo of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller wrote “Hound Dog” in August 1952 with a powerful, charismatic singer in mind. It wasn’t Elvis Presley, who later spun gold records – and gold – from several of their songs, including “Hound Dog.”

The then-19-year-old songwriting duo actually penned the song for Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, a blues singer from the tiny south Alabama town of Ariton. Thornton turned “Hound Dog,” released in February 1953, into an R&B hit that sold 2 million copies – three years before Presley sang his version.

Thornton, who died in 1984, will be honored Oct. 22 in her hometown with the renaming of a street to Big Mama Thornton Circle. The event kicks off at 11 a.m.

The AlabamaWx Weather Blog gladly brings you an excerpt of this article through a partnership with the Alabama NewsCenter. You can see the complete post featuring all the associated images, videos, and links by clicking HERE.

Category: ALL POSTS, Partner News Stories