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Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject
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thread 1/16
In 1926, in Ariton, AL, Baptist minister Thomas Thornton and his wife Edna had a daughter named Willie Mae. Willie Mae was well-schooled in #gospel music by her choir-singing mother. But sadly, her mom passed away when Willie Mae was just 12 years old.
#ThreadChallenge {#id:426397#} #blues
A BMP infographic features an illustration of a young Black girl walking alone along railroad tracks. She is playing a harmonica and carrying a knapsack. One tear falls down her cheek. The text: In 1926, in the small Delta town of Ariton, Alabama, Reverend Thomas Thornton and his wife Edna welcomed their daughter Willie Mae into the world. Willie Mae was well-schooled in gospel music tradition by her Baptist minister father and choir-singing mother. But sadly, her mom passed away when little Willie Mae was just 12 years old. Filled with the blues, she left her miserable home situation, hoping to become a singer and performer like her idol, Bessie Smith. Eventually, Willie Mae found work with various gospel, blues, and R&B acts as a singer, harmonica player, and drummer.
10:06 AM - May 17, 2023
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Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject
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thread 2/16
In 1951, the manager of Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater nicknamed her "Big Mama" after Willie Mae delivered a thundering performance that stole the spotlight from that night's headliner Little Esther.
#ThreadChallenge {#id:426397#} #blues #BigMama #apollotheater
A BMP infographic that features a black & white photo of the marquee of the Apollo Theater. The marquee says "Where Stars Are Born; And Legends Are Made." The accompanying text: With her undeniable talent and showmanship, she began headlining on the Chitlin' Circuit — a series of venues throughout the segregated South, East Coast, and Upper Midwest that were safe spaces for African-American audiences and performers during Jim Crow. In 1951, the manager of Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater nicknamed her "Big Mama" after Willie Mae delivered a thundering performance that stole the spotlight from that night's headliner Little Esther.
10:08 AM - May 17, 2023
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Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject
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thread 3/16
From then on, audiences would know her as Big Mama Thornton. It was a well-earned stage name as she had grown to nearly 6', 200 pounds. And more importantly, charismatically due to her powerful voice, commanding presence, and take no bullsh*t demeanor. #ThreadChallenge {#id:426397#} #BigMamaThornton
A photo of Big Mama Thornton from early in her career. She is in her early 20s here and she looks young, vivacious, and playful as she dances at the mic.
10:09 AM - May 17, 2023
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Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject
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thread 4/16
In 1952, 2 teens, Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, approached #BigMama to record a 12-bar blues they'd written for her. Though Jewish, #LeiberandStoller loved Black music and culture, and Big Mama's enormous talent. The song was about a woman ridding herself of a gigolo "hound dog." #ThreadChallenge
A BMP infographic featuring the original cover of the 45 RPM "Hound Dog" record. The accompanying text: In 1952, two teenage songwriters, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, approached Big Mama to record a 12-bar blues they'd written especially for her. Though Jewish, Leiber and Stoller loved Black music and culture, and Big Mama's voice and charisma knocked them out. And so they wrote a song perfectly for her strengths as it was a rollicking rhythm & blues number that told the story of a woman ridding herself of a trifling no-account gigolo. Their clever lyrics used many innuendoes, referring to the man as a "hound dog."
10:11 AM - May 17, 2023
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Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject
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thread 5/16
Released in 1953, Big Mama's #HoundDog became a massive success on the R&B charts—remaining number 1 for over 14 weeks! It managed to sell over 2M copies, despite the obstacles of receiving NO airplay on White radio and only being available for purchase at Black record shops. #ThreadChallenge
A BMP infographic showing a page from Billboard magazine the week Big Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog" topped the rhythm & blues charts. The accompanying text: Released in 1953, Big Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog" became a massive success on the R&B charts—remaining number one for over 14 weeks! It managed to sell over 2 million copies, despite the obstacles of receiving no airplay on White radio and only being available for purchase at Black record shops.
10:13 AM - May 17, 2023
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Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject
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thread 6/16
3 years later, #Elvis released his version of #HoundDog . Though neutered of its double-entendre, it became an even bigger smash, thanks partly to national radio play on BOTH R&B and pop stations. Elvis's record enjoyed crossover exposure denied to #BigMamaThornton . #ThreadChallenge #rocknroll
A photo of young Elvis Presley with songwriters Leiber and Stoller. The accompanying text: Three years later, Elvis Presley released his version of "Hound Dog." Though his production neutered this dog of its double-entendre, it became an even bigger smash than Big Mama's record, thanks partly to national radio play on both R&B and pop stations. Elvis's record enjoyed crossover exposure denied to Big Mama Thornton when she released the original.
10:15 AM - May 17, 2023
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Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject
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thread 7/16
Initially, none of the creators received royalties for "Hound Dog." However, Leiber & Stoller eventually worked out a deal once Elvis's version hit by leveraging their ability to write future hits for him. But #BigMamaThornton was paid only $500 despite millions sold. #ThreadChallenge #rocknroll
A BMP infographic illustration showing a White man handing over some money to the hand of a Black person. Behind the White man's back we see his fingers are crossed and he's holding a huge sack full of money. The accompanying text: Initially, none of the creators of that first version received royalties from the record company for "Hound Dog." However, Leiber and Stoller eventually worked out a deal as songwriters once Elvis's version hit by leveraging their ability to write future hits for Presley. But unfortunately, like most African-American performers of her day, Big Mama never received royalties from the multi-million selling hit and was paid only a flat fee of $500.
10:17 AM - May 17, 2023
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Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject
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thread 8/16
Though she gained fame in the Black community, #BigMamaThornton never received mainstream opportunities due to the twin societal obstacles of racism and sexism. 1950s America wasn't ready for this style of raw, unadulterated Blackness— especially not in this powerful female form. #ThreadChallenge
A BMP infographic drawing of Big Mama Thornton at the height of her career singing and playing the drums. The accompanying text: Though she gained fame in the Black community, Big Mama Thornton never received mainstream opportunities at the height of her career due to the twin societal obstacles of racism and sexism. 1950s America just wasn't ready for this style of raw, unadulterated Blackness— especially not in this powerful female form.
10:18 AM - May 17, 2023
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Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject
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thread 9/16
As tastes moved away from her traditional down-home style of music, Big Mama's career stalled. Though she did enjoy a brief comeback in the late-60s, her health deteriorated due to years of heavy drinking. In 1984 #BigMamaThornton died in a boarding house at age 57. #ThreadChallenge
A BMP infographic that shows a paper featuring Big Mama Thornton's obituary. The accompanying text: As tastes changed, moving away from her traditional down-home style of music, Big Mama's career stalled, and she disappeared from the spotlight. Though she did enjoy a brief comeback in the late-60s during the blues revival, her health deteriorated due to years of heavy drinking. In 1984 she died in a boarding house destitute at only the age of 57.
10:19 AM - May 17, 2023
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Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject
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thread 10/16
Since the death of #BigMamaThornton many have acknowledged her importance. She broke barriers and set the template for boundary-pushing, gender-bending, sexually frank rockers who followed, like #Elvis #MickJagger #JanisJoplin #robertplant and #FreddieMercury #ThreadChallenge {#id:426397#} #rocknroll
A BMP infographic photo collage. The primary photo is a sepia toned shot of Big Mama Thornton belting out a song. Surrounding her are rockers she inspired. The accompanying text: Since her death, many have come to acknowledge her importance, as countless frontmen and women have her to thank for showing them how to command a stage with rock & roll swagger. She broke barriers and set the template for boundary-pushing, gender-bending, sexually frank rockers who followed her, like Elvis Presley, Mick Jagger, Janis Joplin, Robert Plant, Freddie Mercury, and many more!
10:22 AM - May 17, 2023
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Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject
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thread 11/16
#BigMamaThornton paved the way for powerful Black female performers like #ArethaFranklin #TinaTurner #ChakaKhan #Beyonce and others to unapologetically and confidently be their full, dynamic, Black-is-beautiful selves. #ThreadChallenge {#id:426397#} #BlackHistory
A BMP photo collage of (from left to right): Big Mama Thornton, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, and Beyonce.
10:23 AM - May 17, 2023
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Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject
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thread 12/16
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame gatekeepers have excluded #BigMamaThornton from induction so far. However, her legacy continues. When she fully receives the recognition she deserves, it will be, to paraphrase, a spiritual descendant of Big Mama's "about damn time." #lizzo #ThreadChallenge {#id:426397#}
A BMP infographic showing a photo of Big Mama Thornton on the left playing her harmonica; and Lizzo playing her flute on the right. The accompanying text: In 1984 the same year she passed away, Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame. But The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame gatekeepers have excluded Big Mama Thornton from induction—only including "Hound Dog" and a self-penned tune of hers, "Ball' n' Chain," to their list of 500 songs that shaped the genre. However, her legacy continues. When she fully receives the recognition she deserves, it will be, to paraphrase, a spiritual descendant of Big Mama Thornton's "about damn time."
10:25 AM - May 17, 2023
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Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject
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thread 13/16
"My singing comes from my experience, my own experience... I don't sing like nobody but myself." — Big Mama Thornton.
#ThreadChallenge {#id:426397#} #BigMamaThornton #rocknroll #blues #bluesmusic
A BMP infographic featuring a photo of Big Mama Thornton in profile seeing her heart out. The accompanying text: "My singing comes from my experience, my own experience... I don't sing like nobody but myself." — Big Mama Thornton.
10:27 AM - May 17, 2023
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Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject
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thread 14/16
Please consider adding your name to the petition to induct Big Mama Thornton into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. #ThreadChallenge

https://www.change.org/p/r...
10:30 AM - May 17, 2023
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Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject
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thread 15/16
"'Why Willie Mae Thornton Matters', is a narrative journey of reclamation that intricately details and humanizes the full life, musical contributions, and cultural impact of Willie Mae Thornton.". —Terisa Siagatonu
The book arrives in September. #BigMamaThornton #books #bios #PrideMonth
utpress.utexas.edu
IMG
Why Willie Mae Thornton Matters

A queer, Black “biography in essays” about the performer who gave us “Hound Dog,” “Ball and Chain,” and other songs that changed the course of Am...

11:30 AM - Jun 02, 2023
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Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject
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thread 16/16
The Black Music Project comprises a small, dedicated team and is mainly self-funded by its founders. We're thankful to @Spoutible @cbouzy and its community for recognizing our hard work. Winning the #ThreadChallenge and its $500 will help us continue our mission. Thank you all!
A BMP graphic with Big Mama Thornton's photo on a school blackboard. Written in chalk beside her our these words: The Black Music Project comprises a small, dedicated team and is mainly self-funded by its founders. We're thankful to @Spoutible and its community for recognizing our hard work. Winning the #ThreadChallenge and its $500 will help us continue our mission. Thank you all!
01:47 PM - Jul 21, 2023 (Edited)
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