Today In Black LGBTQ+ History: Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton

TODAY IN BLACK LGBTQ+ HISTORY We celebrate Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, a blues singer and songwriter whose recordings of “Hound Dog” and “Ball ‘n’ Chain” later were transformed into huge hits by Elvis Presley and Janis Joplin. In the 1960s, Thornton recorded albums for the Arhoolie and Mercury labels, including collaborative albums such as Big Mama Thornton with the Chicago Blues Band (1967) with Muddy Waters and Ball ‘n’ Chain (1968) with Sam Lightnin’ Hopkins. Additionally, she was regularly featured at the Monterey Jazz Festival in San Francisco and American Folk Blues Festival throughout Europe. 

Willie Mae Thornton is a reminder to us all to “LISTEN TO AFFIRMING MUSIC.” Today I invite you to only listen to music that speaks to your soul, and see for yourself how it affects the way you see and feel about everything else.