Elvis Presley's Complicated History With Black Musicians

Elvis was famously inspired by Black musicians of his era, but some say he only copied and profiteered off Black artists without credit.

“Hound Dog” was one of Elvis Presley’s earliest singles, landing the number one spot of the Billboard charts and skyrocketing the career of the young musician in 1956.  

It’s an obvious part of Presley’s origin story in the singer’s latest jukebox musical biopic, but it’s also a lightning rod for one of the biggest criticisms of the musician’s legacy.   

Before Presley put a bop spin on “Hound Dog,” the song was originally recorded by rhythm and blues legend Big Mama Thornton. The song was specifically written for her, and it sold almost two million copies in 1953.