“They’ll love your song, but they’ll take it and make it theirs. That’s just how it goes.” (Referring to covers of her songs like “Hound Dog” and “Ball and Chain.”) 👑👑 Big Mama Thornton, born Willie Mae Thornton on December 11, 1926, in Ariton, Alabama, was a pioneering American blues singer and songwriter. Known for her powerful voice and commanding stage presence, she rose to fame in the 1950s with hits like "Hound Dog," later popularized by Elvis Presley, and "Ball and Chain," covered by Ja