On August 30, 1974, blues powerhouse Big Mama Thornton took the stage on The Midnight Special for a searing live performance of her signature song, “Ball and Chain.” Backed by a tight rhythm section, Thornton delivered raw, emotional vocals that showcased the same grit and fire that had made her one of the most influential voices in early rock and blues. Originally written and recorded by Thornton in the early 1960s, “Ball and Chain” gained renewed attention when Janis Joplin performed it with B