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The Latest Breaking News from Big Mama Thornton

‘The biggest, baddest, saltiest chick you would ever see’: why no one sang the blues like Big Mama Thornton

Gay, fearless and utterly unique, Thornton had a hit with Hound Dog before Elvis – but was then fleeced and forgotten. One hundred years after her birth, a new documentary sets the record straight

The Guardian - UK

“Since Clapton was in London, I was tapped to fill in the spaces – I was given credit in the ‘special thanks’ section”: He played with blues legends and taught Trey Anastasio. Now Paul Asbell is reflecting on 50 years as a player’s player

The Chicago-born guitarist has worked with Magic Sam, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Sonny Sitt and the Sun Ra Arkestra – and even found himself filling in for Eric Clapton…

Guitar World

Slay: The evolution of drag anthems

As we honor Pride, let's delve into the rich history of music that has uplifted he drag community over the decades

Salon

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
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Let the good times roll

Last month, one of the great explorers and producers of American vernacular music, Chris Strachwitz, passed away. He was 91 years old. He was the founder and co-owner (with Tom Diamant) of Arhoolie Records which since its first release in 1960, Texas Sharecropper And Songster by Texan bluesman Mance Lipscomb,…

Bangkok Post

Why are women so marginalised by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?

Barely 8% of its inductees are female. The canon-making doesn’t just reek of sexist gatekeeping, but also purposeful ignorance and hostility

The Guardian - UK

The Astros Are World Series Champions—No Asterisk Needed

Houston and Dusty Baker have won their title, thoroughly and convincingly.

Sports Illustrated

Director of Elvis biopic ‘heartbroken’ after death of actress Shonka Dukureh

The singer starred as Big Mama Thornton in the film about Elvis Presley.

The Independent UK

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Elvis star Shonka Dukureh found dead by one of her young children in flat

The actress played Big Mama Thornton in the new Elvis biopic.

Daily Record

Elvis director Baz Luhrmann heartbroken as Big Mama Thornton actress found dead at home

Tributes have paid to the late Shonka Dukureh, who made her film debut in Baz Luhrmann's Elvis (2022), with her having played blues singer Big Mama Thornton in the biopic about Elvis Presley

Daily Mirror

Elvis actor Shonka Dukureh dies one month after big screen debut

The 44-year-old singer, who portrayed Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann’s latest film, was found unresponsive in her Nashville home

The Guardian - AU

Elvis actress dead aged 44 just a month after her movie debut

Shonka Dukureh, a Nashville gospel singer, played blues singer Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann's biopic

Wales Online

A woman in a man's world

US R&B legend Big Mama Thornton is one of the forgotten "originators", to use Dr John's term for Professor Longhair, of rock'n'roll. The late Alabama native, who died almost exactly 38 years ago on July 25, 1984, recorded the first version of Leiber and Stoller's Hound Dog in 1952. After…

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