Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton by Olivia Chung https://padlet.com/oliviachungg/thorntonexhibitint137RS A digital exhibit displaying media focused on Willie Mae Thornton en-us 2022-02-15 04:20:30 UTC 2025-04-29 16:17:35 UTC hello@padlet.com Big Mama Thornton - In Europe oliviachungg https://padlet.com/oliviachungg/thorntonexhibitint137RS/wish/2047777957
"Big Mama" Thornton was a powerhouse blues singer and wrote all of her songs. She created quite a name for herself and garnered a large following. She released her first album, "In Europe", in 1965 after performing on tour. This was significant because it showed her success and very few female blues singers gained the popularity she had. 

Boswell, Alicia, and Janet Bourne. "Black Music and Roots of American Popular Culture: Part II." Powerpoint presented at UCSB, January 2022. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XwRmoZHCmQJIU7akMW6Rt1v4foNXdrTUWYQsOscz73I/edit#slide=id.p


]]> 2022-02-15 04:47:29 UTC https://padlet.com/oliviachungg/thorntonexhibitint137RS/wish/2047777957 Big Mama Thornton’s Performance of Two of Her Hit Songs oliviachungg https://padlet.com/oliviachungg/thorntonexhibitint137RS/wish/2047814002 "Hound Dog" was one of Thornton's biggest hits and it also happened to be the first song she released. This video is significant because it truly captures Thornton's energy while she performs. The way she performs redefined blue's music and one can compare the style of performance from back then to now.

“‎(1965) Blues by Big Mama Thornton - Hound Dog and down Home Shakedown.” 2012. YouTube Video. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxoGvBQtjpM.]]> 2022-02-15 05:17:01 UTC https://padlet.com/oliviachungg/thorntonexhibitint137RS/wish/2047814002 Elvis Presley Singing Willie Mae Thornton's Song oliviachungg https://padlet.com/oliviachungg/thorntonexhibitint137RS/wish/2047825671 This video relates to Willie Mae Thornton because her original song "Hound Dog" was a huge catalyst for Presley's career. Some people may not even know that this song is not his own song. This exemplified how white people could make a song rooted in black culture and popularize it while giving no credit to the original singer.

“Elvis Presley ‘Hound Dog’ (October 28, 1956) on the Ed Sullivan Show.” 2020. YouTube Video. YouTube. https://youtu.be/aNYWl13IWhY.
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]]> 2022-02-15 05:27:19 UTC https://padlet.com/oliviachungg/thorntonexhibitint137RS/wish/2047825671 Ball and Chain by Big Mama Thornton oliviachungg https://padlet.com/oliviachungg/thorntonexhibitint137RS/wish/2047851606 This is another example of a song by Thornton that became popular after another singer covered it. Janis Joplin recorded a version of the song Thornton had written and it rose to fame. Some give credit to Joplin's recording for reviving the declining popularity of blue's music. Unlike Presley, however, Joplin got permission from Thornton to record the song, gave her credit for writing the song, and also gave her the royalties. 

“Ball and Chain (Part One) / Wade in the Water by Big Mama Thornton - RYM/Sonemic.” n.d. Rateyourmusic.com. Accessed February 14, 2022. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/big-mama-thornton/ball-and-chain-part-one-wade-in-the-water/.


]]> 2022-02-15 05:50:21 UTC https://padlet.com/oliviachungg/thorntonexhibitint137RS/wish/2047851606 Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton Poster oliviachungg https://padlet.com/oliviachungg/thorntonexhibitint137RS/wish/2047866209 The Blue's genre of music was losing popularity towards the 1960's and 70's so Thornton stopped recording new music. She did, however, continue to do performances in California/the bay area. Her performances captured the energy and soul of blue's music. Though the music style was less popular, it is still amazing that she continued performing.

“Big Mama Thornton Photo Gallery.” n.d. The Arhoolie Foundation. Accessed February 13, 2022. https://arhoolie.org/big-mama-thornton-gallery/. ]]> 2022-02-15 06:03:06 UTC https://padlet.com/oliviachungg/thorntonexhibitint137RS/wish/2047866209