Biography
Howlin' Wolf, born Chester Arthur Burnett on June 10, 1910, in White Station near West Point, Mississippi, emerged from a childhood marked by poverty and hardship to become one of the most influential figures in blues history. Raised on a cotton plantation, he was deeply influenced by the traditional music of the Mississippi Delta. After his parents separated, he endured a difficult upbringing with an uncle before rejoining his father as a teenager. Inspired by the legendary Charley Patton, Wolf learned guitar and performance techniques, and received harmonica instruction from Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller), integrating these lessons into his own powerful, growling vocal style and dynamic stage presence.
Wolf began performing in juke joints across Mississippi in the 1920s and 1930s, gradually building a reputation for his electrifying performances. In the 1940s, he formed his own group in Arkansas and eventually caught the attention of Ike Turner, who helped him record his first single, 'Moanin' at Midnight,' in 1951. This success led to a contract with Chess Records in Chicago, where Wolf became a central figure in the transformation of Delta blues into the electric Chicago blues sound. His classic recordings, including 'Spoonful,' 'Smokestack Lightning,' and 'Killing Floor,' defined the genre and influenced generations of musicians. Wolf remained a commanding presence on stage and in the studio until his death in 1976, leaving a legacy honored by induction into both the Blues and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame.
Fun Facts
- Howlin' Wolf was over six feet tall and weighed close to 300 pounds, making his stage presence as imposing as his voice.
- He was known for paying his band members promptly and even provided them with health insurance and Social Security, an unusual practice among blues bandleaders of his era.
- His nickname 'Howlin' Wolf' reportedly came from his grandfather, who warned him as a child that if he misbehaved, the 'howling wolves' would get him.
- Wolf's gravestone in Oakridge Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois, is engraved with a guitar and harmonica, symbolizing his musical legacy.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Charley Patton - Patton was Wolf's primary mentor, teaching him guitar and showmanship. (Live performances and early blues repertoire) [late 1920s–1930s]
- Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller) - Taught Wolf harmonica after marrying Wolf's half-sister. (Live performances and harmonica technique) [1930s]
- Tommy Johnson - Influenced Wolf's vocal style, especially yodels and moans. (Vocal performance style) [1920s–1930s]
Key Collaborators
- Hubert Sumlin - Longtime guitarist and key musical partner in Wolf's Chicago band. (Most Chess Records sessions, including 'Spoonful', 'Smokestack Lightning') [1954–1976]
- Willie Johnson - Early band member and guitarist in Memphis and Chicago. (Early Sun and Chess recordings) [early 1950s]
- James Cotton - Harmonica player in Wolf's Arkansas band; later became a blues star. (Live performances) [1940s]
- Little Junior Parker - Band member in Arkansas group; later a noted blues artist. (Live performances) [1940s]
Artists Influenced
- The Rolling Stones - Covered Wolf's songs and cited him as a major influence on their blues-based rock sound. ('Little Red Rooster', live performances with Wolf) [1960s–1970s]
- Jimi Hendrix - Inspired by Wolf's guitar work and vocal style. (Blues-influenced guitar technique) [1960s]
- Eric Clapton - Cited Wolf as a formative influence; collaborated on 'The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions.' ('The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions' (1971))
- Led Zeppelin - Borrowed from Wolf's songs and style in their blues-rock compositions. ('The Lemon Song' (inspired by 'Killing Floor')) [late 1960s–1970s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Moanin' In The Moonlight | 1958-03-01 | Album |
| Howlin' Wolf | 1962-01-11 | Album |
| The Real Folk Blues | 1966-01-11 | Album |
| The London Howlin’ Wolf Sessions (Deluxe Edition) | 1971-08-01 | Album |
| The Chess Box | 1991-11-12 | Album |
| The Howlin' Wolf Album | 1969-11-04 | Album |
| Change My Way | 1975-01-01 | Album |
| Smokestack Lightning /The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960 | 2011-10-24 | Album |
| The Definitive Collection | 2007-01-01 | Album |
| His Best | 2001-01-01 | Album |
| The Back Door Wolf | 1973-01-01 | Album |
| More Real Folk Blues | 1967-01-01 | Album |
| Howlin' Wolf Greatest Songs | 2018-08-31 | Album |
| The Memphis Sessions | 2007-04-20 | Album |
| Ain't Gonna Be Your Dog: Chess Collectibles Vol. 2 | 1994-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Smokestack Lightnin' (Moanin' In The Moonlight)
- Spoonful (Howlin' Wolf)
- Killing Floor (The Real Folk Blues)
- Evil (Is Going On) (Moanin' In The Moonlight)
- Little Red Rooster (Howlin' Wolf)
- How Many More Years (Moanin' In The Moonlight)
- I Ain't Superstitious (The London Howlin’ Wolf Sessions (Deluxe Edition))
- Back Door Man (Howlin' Wolf)
- Moanin' At Midnight (Moanin' In The Moonlight)
- Sitting On Top Of The World (The Real Folk Blues)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Howlin' Wolf has been played 31 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.