Howlin’ Wolf
Chester Arthur Burnett (June 10, 1910 – January 10, 1976) was known as Howlin’ Wolf and was an influential American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player. With a big voice and definite physical presence, Burnett is ranked among the leading performers in blues. Many of his songs were considered important to the development of blues. “Smokestack Lightnin'”, “Back Door Man”, “Killing Floor” and “Spoonful”—quickly became blues and blues rock standards.
In 1950, Howlin’ Wolf cut several tracks at Sun Studio in Memphis. He soon became a local celebrity, and began working with a band that included Willie Johnson and guitarist Pat Hare. His first recordings came in 1951, when he recorded for both the Bihari brothers at RPM Records and Leonard Chess’s Chess Records. Chess issued Howlin’ Wolf’s “Moanin’ At Midnight” and the label eventually persuaded Howlin’ Wolf to move to Chicago, Illinois to make more music and establish himself as a musician.
Howlin’ Wolf was considered one of the best blues musicians of his time. ” In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him #51 on their list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”. Wolf met his future wife, Lillie at one of his performances in a Chicago club. His health declined in the late 1960s through 1970s and his kidneys were damaged in a car accident. He died in 1976 from complications of kidney disease.
Listen to: Smokestack Lightning
R.R.
The Blues Project 