Los Angeles teenagers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller wrote "Hound Dog" for Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton in 1952. Although they were only 19 at the time -- and had yet to establish themselves at the Brill Building -- Johnny Otis hired them to boost Thornton's career, which had never really taken off. It turned out to be her only hit. Released by Peacock Records, it reached number one on the R&B chart, eventually selling at least 500,000 copies, and probably more. Despite the success, neither Thornton nor Leiber and Stoller profited from the hit. She was paid only $500, and according to the songwriters, they got a single $1200 check that bounced. There was much litigation about the song -- mostly over "answer" versions and covers -- but Thornton got nothing. I don't know about Leiber and Stoller, who should have had a pretty good case.

Of course, it was made famous by Elvis a few years later, who profited handsomely. It was covered at least ten times before Elvis's release, and many times since.

Interesting that Little Richard covered the Elvis version:

Maybe the first Country version, with Merle Travis on guitar:

This was the first "answer" song, written by Sam Phillips of Sun Records, and recorded by Rufus Thomas, who was then a popular DJ at WDIA, said to be the first Black format radio station, and later and important figure at Stax Records. (Note: WDIA may have been preceeded by Chicago's WHFC, which later changed it call letters to WVON. I haven't been able to find precise dates for either.)

Another answer, "Rattlesnake" by John Brim, was recorded on Chess Records in 1953, but threatened litigation caused the Chess brothers to sit on it, and it wasn't released until 1967. It features Little Walter on harp, Willie Dixon on bass, Fred Below on drums, and the Myers brothers on guitars:

Not "Hound Dog," but I came across this and couldn't resist:

 

The Platters released "The Great Pretender" in late 1955, written by their manager Buck Ram, and it reached number 1 on the Hot 100 the following January, when it was also the number 12 best seller for 1956. It has been covered many times, most successfully by Freddie Mercury in 1987. Tony Williams's soaring lead vocal (especially at 1:52 on the clip below) is a temptation for others to an over-the-top solo, verging on parody. In my opinion, Mercury almost goes too far, but he restrains himself and the last moment, which is pretty cool.

 

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Audio only instrumental:

Over the top in Romania?

I hesitated to include this, showing Roy Clark at his clownish worst. Has there ever been another performer with so much talent so badly diminished by such foolishness?