Hound Dog has a bit of a history. First recorded by Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton in 1952, it became a huge hit for Elvis Presley three years later. Presley has often been criticized for stealing Thornton’s thunder, but his version was based on another cover of the original, by Freddie Bell and the Bellboys, a white band. But all the same, isn’t Hound Dog a bona fide black rhythm and blues tune? Well, yes, if you forget that it was written by two Jewish teenagers from LA– Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
This clip dates from 1965 and the venue is either British or European tv. Here is Big Mama at the height of her powers, with a very young Buddy Guy shining on guitar. That’s Eddie Boyd at the piano, Jimmy Lee Robinson on bass, and the redoubtable Fred Below is at the drums. Stage designer and Ms. Thornton’s wardrobe artist are mercifully unknown.
Thornton’s Hound Dog was always the best, for my money.
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