Howlin' Wolf, born Chester Arthur Burnett on June 10, 1910, in White Station, Mississippi, was a towering figure in the post-war blues scene, known for his deep, gravelly voice and powerful physical presence. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing nearly 300 pounds, his imposing stature was matched by an equally forceful vocal delivery that made him one of the most memorable performers of his time. He began his music career in the 1930s, but it wasn't until the early 1950s when he started recording with Chess Records in Chicago that his career truly took off. With hits like "Smokestack Lightnin'," "Spoonful," and "Killing Floor," he left an indelible mark on the blues that would influence countless musicians in his wake, from rock'n'roll to British blues icons.

Howlin' Wolf's gritty, emotionally charged style was built on the traditional blues he had learned in the rural South, honed through encounters with blues legends such as Charley Patton and Son House. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, his work with songwriter and bassist Willie Dixon at Chess Records produced some of the most enduring classics of Chicago electric blues. Despite his success, Howlin' Wolf was notable for being financially shrewd and encouraging fellow musicians to get educated about the music business. Even after his death on January 10, 1976, his legacy continued to grow, with his influence repeatedly acknowledged by artists across genres, his recordings treasured by aficionados, and his indomitable spirit celebrated in compilations and collections that keep the power of his music alive for new generations of listeners.

Genres

Acoustic Blues

Blues

Chicago Blues

Delta Blues

Harmonica Blues

Memphis Blues

Traditional Blues

Related Artists

Muddy Waters

Elmore James

John Lee Hooker

B.B. King

Lightnin' Hopkins

Buddy Guy

Little Walter

Sonny Boy Williamson II

Albert King

T-Bone Walker

Otis Rush

Willie Dixon

Latest Release

Howlin' Wolf Live March 3rd, 1964 Bremen, Germany (Restauración 2024)

Howlin' Wolf

Album - 9 Tracks - Released June 28, 2024