"Ben Wynne's "A Hound Dog Tale" is a detailed history of the rock-and-roll standard "Hound Dog." Citing its original release and reception as a turning point in American popular culture, he reveals how the song reflected American society through issues of race, gender, and generational conflict. The story is compelling. Two white Jewish teenagers from New York and Baltimore who fantasized about being Black wrote "Hound Dog." They gave it to Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, a three-hundred-pound African American female blues ...
Read More
"Ben Wynne's "A Hound Dog Tale" is a detailed history of the rock-and-roll standard "Hound Dog." Citing its original release and reception as a turning point in American popular culture, he reveals how the song reflected American society through issues of race, gender, and generational conflict. The story is compelling. Two white Jewish teenagers from New York and Baltimore who fantasized about being Black wrote "Hound Dog." They gave it to Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, a three-hundred-pound African American female blues belter from Alabama who was as talented as she was intimidating. "Big Mama" made the song a hit in the Black entertainment marketplace. After that, a white Las Vegas lounge singer from Philadelphia rewrote many of the lyrics and recorded an updated version. Not long afterward, an aspiring white Mississippi singer and guitar player named Elvis Presley recorded that version of the song and turned "Hound Dog" (and himself) into a global phenomenon. As Wynne points out, "Hound Dog" crossed the color line repeatedly: Black and white artists who grew up in a rigidly segregated society performed and recorded it. His history of the song includes treatments of the artists who recorded its most well-known versions-"Big Mama" Thornton and Elvis-along with the comings and goings of many others involved in the tune's story. The cast of characters is large and eclectic, including singers, songwriters, and musicians from the worlds of R&B, rock-and-roll, and country music, both honest and unscrupulous record producers and managers, famous television hosts, a couple of lawyers, and even a gangster or two. "Hound Dog" ties all these people together against dramatically changing times during the 1950s. "A Hound Dog Tale" is sure to be of interest to historians who study American cultural history, the 1950s, R&B, and rock-and-roll, or the role of race in American popular music. In addition, R&B, blues, and rock-and-roll music enthusiasts in the United States and abroad will be interested, as will many of the countless fans of Elvis Presley"--
Read Less
Add this copy of A Hound Dog Tale: Big Mama, Elvis, and the Song That to cart. $18.00, like new condition, Sold by Shadetree Rare Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Chatham, VA, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by LSU Press.
Add this copy of Hound Dog Tale Format: Hc-Hardcover to cart. $22.72, new condition, Sold by indoo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Avenel, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by LSU Press.
Add this copy of A Hound Dog Tale: Big Mama, Elvis, and the Song That to cart. $23.87, new condition, Sold by GreatBookPrices rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by LSU Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 184 p. Contains: Illustrations. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of A Hound Dog Tale: Big Mama, Elvis, and the Song That to cart. $23.88, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2024 by LSU Press.
Add this copy of A Hound Dog Tale: Big Mama, Elvis, and the Song That to cart. $26.92, new condition, Sold by ShopSpell rated 2.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Califon, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by LSU Press.
Add this copy of A Hound Dog Tale to cart. $33.64, new condition, Sold by Paperbackshop rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Bensenville, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by Louisiana State University Press.
