Blues singer Willie Mae 'Big Mama' Thornton is born in Ariton, Alabama.
At a Glance
- Date
- 11 December 1926
- Location
- Ariton, Alabama
- Key people
- Big Mama Thornton
- Category
- Music
- Source
- Recordings; biographical records · Britannica
What It Meant Then
Her original recording of 'Hound Dog' predated Elvis Presley's by three years.
What It Means Now
Thornton's powerful style influenced generations of blues and rock singers.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Big Mama Thornton Is Born.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/big-mama-thornton-is-born/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Big Mama Thornton Is Born. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/big-mama-thornton-is-born/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Big Mama Thornton Is Born.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/big-mama-thornton-is-born/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.