When a 21-year-old Elvis Presley stepped up to the microphone in 1956 to record his version of the gritty blues track "Hound Dog," nobody could have predicted that the song would spend a record-breaking 11 weeks at the top of the Billboard charts and forever change the landscape of popular music.
In 1952, a pair of young, soon-to-be legendary songwriters named Jerry Leiber and Mike Stollerwrote the track specifically for Thornton's powerful, commanding voice.
Parade Daily? SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox ?
View this post on InstagramLeiber shared with American Songwriter how Presley discovered the song and why his version didn't sound like Thornton's original. "He got the song from Freddie Bell & the Bellboys. He did not learn the song from Mama’s record," the songwriter explained.
Presley's version was recorded on July 2, 1956, and released on July 13, making the song 70 years old. Ironically, "Hound Dog" was the B-side of the single "Don't Be Cruel."
The song was included in a comprehensive list compiled by Far Out Magazine of the 660 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll. Also included on the list is Thornton's version.
If you've seen the 2022 Elvis movie, you probably remember the scene where Big Mama Thornton (Shonka Dukureh) belts out the original song in a packed, smoky club. Director Baz Luhrmann used that moment to give the singer her due and reveal the R&B roots that built rock and roll.
Related: In 1970, Elvis Presley Walked Onstage in a Bold New Look—56 Years Later, It Still Defines His Legacy
Hence then, the article about 1956 smash reimagined from a blues legend ranked among the songs that shaped rock and roll 70 years later was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 1956 Smash, Reimagined From a Blues Legend, Ranked Among the Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll 70 Years Later )
Also on site :
- Princess Diana's Alleged Camilla Face-Off Over King Charles Happened Here—Now the London Estate Is Listed for $33 Million
- Kendra Scott’s ‘Stunning’ $53 Adjustable Bracelet at Amazon ‘Goes With Everyday Outfits’ and Comes in 32 Styles
- Country Star, With No. 1 Hit Song Lasting 13 Weeks, Makes Billboard Chart History