Willie Me Thornton
A blues stylist and song writer, her recording of "Hound Dog" long before Elvis Presley's version, was a smash hit too.It sold over 2 million copies but she only pocketed 500 bucks! Somehow, I do not think Elvis' take was that meager when he covered it.
OY!
She sang and wrote for the Hot Harlem Revue Group under the mentorship of one "Diamond Teeth Mary" McClain (a contemporary of Bessie Smith and the one person who was bedside when the star was left to bleed to death in a segregated hospital). There she also played drums, harmonica, and guitar.She ventured out on her own after almost a decade with the band. She toured and made some money but it dissipated as quickly as she got it. A staple on the blues circuit, she was a well-known name. Unfortunately, as the popularity of blues waned, her bookings dried up but she persevered and survived through recording sales.
"Diamond Teeth Mary" McClain
With the 70s and earyl 80s came a resurgence of her career as newbies re-discovered her. She went on the road again happily but years of excessive drinking, a weight problem and issues from the combination of both had taken their toll. She last performance was in 1983 at the Newport Jazz Festival.
She passed in 1984, aged 57 years
Big Mama Thornton - "Hound Dog" (I have no idea why a photo of Josephine Baker is the image running throughout this video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoHDrzw-RPg
A retrospective on "Diamond Teeth Mary" McClain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22y49zz31ok
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