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Fact of the Day: The original voice behind ‘Hound Dog’
Before Elvis Presley made 'Hound Dog' a rock ’n’ roll sensation in 1956, the song had already made waves thanks to Big Mama Thornton.
Written in 1952 by songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, 'Hound Dog' was first performed by Thornton, whose raw, bluesy vocals and fierce delivery helped the track top the R&B charts for seven weeks. It was bold, gritty, and miles apart from Elvis’s slick, hip-shaking version.
In fact, it wasn’t until a Las Vegas group called Freddie Bell and the Bellboys reworked the song—softening the edge and adding a rock twist—that Elvis took notice and recorded his own take. His version may have dominated the pop charts, but it was built on a track that already had history, soul, and serious bite.
Source: Rock n Roll / YouTube
