Throwback: Happy 98th Birthday, Big Mama Thornton!

December is here. 2024 has flown by and is almost over. 

Much like the previous 11 months, this month is a busy month in music birthdays. Let’s get to it y’all. 

• The legendary Lou Rawls was born 85 years ago on December 1
• The Doors‘ John Densmore celebrated his 80^th birthday on December 1
• Jaco Pastorius, one of the greatest bassists ever was born 73 years ago on December 1
• Def Leppard bassist Rick Savage celebrated his 64^th birthday on December 2
• Montell Jordan celebrates his 56th birthday today
• Ozzy Osbourne, the “Prince of Darkness” and “Godfather of Metal,” celebrated his 76th birthday on December 3
• One of the greatest and most successful emcees both commercially and critically to ever do it, Jay-Z celebrated his 55th — yes, 55th ya’ll! — birthday on December 4
• The pioneering rock legend Little Richard was born 92 years ago on December 5
• R.E.M co-founder and lead guitarist Peter Buck celebrated his 68th birthday on December 5
• The Doors‘ Jim Morrison was born 81 years ago on December 8
• The fearlessly uncompromising Sinead O’Connor was born 58 years ago on December 8
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs‘ Nick Zinner celebrated his 50th — that’s right y’all 50th! — birthday on December 8

The legendary Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton was born on this day 98 years ago. It seems that in some way that she’s being erased from history — but let’s not whitewash her importance. Elvis Presley and countless others stole from her. And yet, her work will be remembered forever, even if it’s through someone else’s theft.

America is exhausting. But let’s never forget that Black culture is American culture, and that we should revere all of our Black geniuses in all forms.

Happy birthday, Big Mama! Happy birthday, wherever you are!