Who Is Howlin’ Wolf?

Howlin’ Wolf (Chester Arthur Burnett 1910 – 1976) was born in Mississippi. He later moved to Chicago where he became part of that wave of artists that put Chicago on the Blues map.

He was larger than life in more ways than one and a passionate artist.

Howlin’ Wolf Facts

Charley Patton (guitar) and Sonny Boy Williamson II (harmonica) were his best known teachers.
Successful Southern regional musician in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Farmed by day, entertained at night.
Moved to Chicago in the early 1950’s and scored Chess Records’ first real hit in 1951, “How Many More Years.”
Wrote and/or recorded several Blues Classics, (e.g. “Killing Floor,” “Wang Dang Doodle,” and “Spoonful”).
Contemporary of Willie Dixon, Otis Spann, Hubert Sumlin, Buddy Guy, and (rival) Muddy Waters.
Known as much for his rumbly growl of a voice as for his intimidating size – he was 6’3″, ~ 300 lbs.
Posthumously inducted into both the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“No one could match Howlin’ Wolf for the singular ability to rock the house down to the foundation while simultaneously scaring its patrons out of its wits.” ~ Michael “Cub” Koda

My Favorite Howlin’ Wolf Songs

“Spoonful” Maybe Wolf’s most familiar song. I first heard it in the 60’s when Jack Bruce sang in on the Fresh Cream album.
“Goin’ Down Slow” Great speaking part on this one. Eric Clapton has a nice upbeat version of this on his One More Car, One More Rider (Live) album.
“Little Red Rooster” Double entendre or simple barnyard tune? You tell me. It was never a big hit for Wolf but it sure was for The Stones and others.

If I Could Only Have One Album

My choice would be his 1962 album, ‘Howlin’ Wolf’.

That record was sometimes known as “The Rocking Chair Album.” (hmmm, I wonder why?)

It’s really a compilation of a bunch of his earlier recorded singles. And it’s jam-packed with Blues Classics. In fact, if you’re a Blues fan, you’ve probably heard every last one of these songs covered by other artists.

Still, it’s a joy to hear the original versions, the ones that inspired so many others.

Preview Howlin’ Wolf

A Small Taste

Here’s a video of Wolf performing “I’ll Be Back Someday.”

There was always a power in his performances, even the slow grooves.

As Sam Phillips once said, “he sang with his damn soul.”

Thanks for reading!

Jon Beres

I’m one part Blues Fan and one part Digital Native (with a dash of Curmudgeon.) I’m also the publisher of AlltheWayBlue.com. If you love the Blues, I have a feeling we’ll get along just fine - cheers!

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