Why Willie Mae Thornton Matters

Lynnée Denise's "Why Willie Mae Thornton Matters" is a queer, Black "biography in essays" that explores the life of Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton through a Black, queer, feminist lens, revealing an artist who was an innovator across her four-decade-long career. It samples elements of Thornton's art and the author's story to create a biography that explores the life of its subject as a DJ might dig through a crate of records. Denise connects Thorntons vaudevillesque performances to the vocal improvisations that made "Hound Dog" a hit, interprets her performing in mens suits as a queering of the Chitlin Circuit, and refers to her subject by her given name rather than Big Mama, a nickname bestowed upon her by a white man.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 12 September 2023
Publisher: University of Texas Press

A captivating queer, Black "biography in essays" that delves into the life and legacy of the iconic performer who gave us timeless hits like "Hound Dog," "Ball and Chain," and many more. Born in Alabama in 1926, Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton experienced a life marked by hardship, including being raised in the church and later appropriated by white performers. However, author Lynnée Denise offers a fresh perspective by examining Thornton's life through a Black, queer, feminist lens.

Through a series of captivating essays, Denise explores the various facets of Thornton's life, challenging stereotypes and revealing an artist who was an innovator throughout her four-decade-long career. She seamlessly weaves together elements of Thornton's art, alongside her own story, to create a rich and nuanced biography.

One of the most striking aspects of Denise's work is her exploration of Thornton's performances. She draws connections between her vaudevillesque performances in Sammy Greens Hot Harlem Revue and the vocal improvisations that made "Hound Dog" a hit for Peacock Records (and later for Elvis Presley). Denise injects music criticism into what is often portrayed as a cautionary tale of record-industry racism, highlighting Thornton's role as a trailblazer in the music industry.

Furthermore, Denise's interpretation of Thornton's performing in men's suits is insightful and thought-provoking. She sees it as both a sly queering of the Chitlin Circuit, where Black performers often faced discrimination, and a simple preference for pants over dresses that had no pocket for her harmonica. This nuanced approach sheds light on Thornton's complex identity and her ability to navigate the challenges of her time.

Perhaps the most radical aspect of Denise's work is her decision to refer to her subject by her given name rather than the nickname "Big Mama" bestowed upon her by a white man. This deliberate act of reclamation is significant, as it emphasizes Thornton's agency and her refusal to be defined by the labels imposed upon her. In the name of Willie Mae Thornton, Denise uncovers the sound of Black musical resilience, a testament to the power of art to transcend boundaries and shape history.

Overall, "Why Willie Mae Thornton Matters" is a groundbreaking and essential contribution to the literature on music and culture. Through her meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, Denise offers a fresh perspective on the life and legacy of Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, reminding us of the importance of challenging stereotypes and celebrating the contributions of marginalized artists. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in music, history, and the power of storytelling to illuminate the human experience.

Dimension: 203 x 127 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781477321188