Howlin' Wolf

Chester Arthur Burnett (June 10, 1910 – January 10, 1976), better known as Howlin' Wolf, was an African American blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player.

Career

Howlin' Wolf quickly became a local celebrity, and soon began working with a band that included both Willie Johnson and guitarist Pat Hare. His first recordings came in 1951, when he was simultaneously signed to The Bihari Brothers' Modern Records and to Leonard Chess' Chess Records. Chess issued Howlin' Wolf's "How Many More Years" in August 1951; Wolf also recorded sides for Modern, with Ike Turner, in late 1951 and early 1952. Chess eventually won the war over the singer, and Wolf settled in Chicago, Illinois. He began playing with guitarist Hubert Sumlin, whose terse, curlicued solos perfectly complemented Burnett's huge voice and surprisingly subtle phrasing. In the mid-'50s Wolf released "Evil" and "Smokestack Lightnin,'" both major R&B hits.

Related Topics:
Pat Hare - 1951 - The Bihari Brothers - Modern Records - Leonard Chess - Chess Records - Ike Turner - 1952 - Chicago, Illinois - Hubert Sumlin

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His 1962 album Howlin' Wolf is one of the most famous and influential blues records, known for its cover illustration of a rocking chair. This album contained "Wang Dang Doodle," "Goin' Down Slow," "Spoonful" and "The Red Rooster," songs which found their way into the repertoires of British and American bands infatuated with Chicago blues. In 1965 he appeared on the television show Shindig along with the Rolling Stones, who had covered "The Red Rooster" on an early album. He was often backed by bassist, songwriter Willie Dixon who authored such Howlin' Wolf standards as "Spoonful,", "I Ain't Superstitious," "Little Red Rooster," "Back Door Man," "Evil," "Wang Dang Doodle," (primarily known as a Koko Taylor hit) and others.

Related Topics:
1962 - The Rolling Stones - Willie Dixon

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1971, Howlin' Wolf and his long-time guitarist Hubert Sumlin travelled to London to record the Howlin' Wolf London Sessions LP. British blues musicians Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Ian Stewart, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts played alongside the Wolf on this album. He recorded his last album for Chess, The Back Door Wolf, in 1973.

Related Topics:
Hubert Sumlin - Howlin' Wolf London Sessions - Eric Clapton - Steve Winwood - Ian Stewart - Bill Wyman - Charlie Watts - 1973

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At 6 foot 3 inches and close to 300 pounds (136 kg) he was an imposing presence with one of the loudest and most memorable voices of all the "classic" 1950s blues singers. Howlin' Wolf's voice has been compared to "the sound of heavy machinery operating on a gravel road".

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Howlin' Wolf, Rice Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson), Little Walter Jacobs and Muddy Waters are usually regarded as the greatest blues artists who recorded for Chess in Chicago. Sam Phillips once remarked of Chester Arthur Burnett, "When I heard Howlin' Wolf, I said, 'This is for me. This is where the soul of man never dies.' "

Related Topics:
Sonny Boy Williamson - Little Walter - Muddy Waters

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~