How old was Big Mama Thornton when she died?

Big Mama Thornton, an American R&B singer and songwriter, died on July 25, 1984, at the age of 57.

On July 25, 1984, medical personnel discovered Thornton’s body in a Los Angeles boarding house. She died of heart and liver problems caused by her long-term alcohol abuse.

As a result of her illness, she lost 355 pounds (161 kg) in a short period, dropping from 450 to 95 pounds (204-43 kg).

Big Mama was best known for recording “Hound Dog” in 1952, which became her biggest hit, spending seven weeks at the top of the Billboard R&B chart and selling nearly two million copies.

Thornton also recorded the original version of “Ball and Chain,” which she wrote. Thornton’s final albums for Vanguard Records were Jail and Sassy Mama in 1975. Other songs from the session were released on Big Mama Swings in 2000.

She was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1984. Thornton wrote twenty blues songs in addition to “Ball ‘n’ Chain” and “They Call Me Big Mama.” Her song “Ball ‘n’ Chain” is listed as one of the “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll” by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.