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Howlin Wolf: 1910 - 1976
A major exponent of Delta blues with a sound that was as enormous as the man himself. Howlin’ Wolf was a powerhouse of raw, untamed energy and his live performances were legendary. The vision of a 6 ft. 3 in., nearly 300 lb black man hollering from the dungeon and ripping madly on harmonica was no less than the genuine blues apostle. He successfully introduced his country blues style to urban audiences and helped define the Chicago blues sound. His influence on American and British blues and rock artists is immeasurable. Eerie and magical, ferocious and intense, you haven’t heard the soul of the blues until you’ve heard the Wolf.
Howlin’ Wolf’s real name was Chester Arthur Burnett, born June 10, 1910 near West Point, Mississippi. Three year old Chester’s grandfather told tall tales of wolves in Mississippi, sending the frightened boy howling to his room. From then on his family called him Howlin’ Wolf. His earliest introduction to music was singing in the Baptist church each Sunday, yet it wasn’t until Chester was 18 that he received his first guitar.
Wolf’s rural plantation upbringing turned into an ideal setting for blues mentors. Charley Patton lived on a nearby plantation and took a shine to the young man, teaching him the rudiments of the Delta blues style. In 1933, when the family moved to a plantation near Parkin, Arkansas, Wolf met Sonny Boy Williamson, who taught him how to play harmonica. Wolf also crossed paths and performed with Robert Johnson. However, Patton left the most indelible imprint. Wolf, adopted his rasping vocal style and even copied a performance trick of lying on his back while whooping and hollering.
After a four year stint in the army Wolf was discharged in 1945 and went back to farming in Arkansas, but within three years he’d formed his own band and began forging a reputation in Delta juke joints. He moved to West Memphis and landed a spot on a local radio station. One of the people who heard him was Sam Phillips of the future Sun Records. Phillips was awed by the potent vocals and knew he had to record Wolf. In January of 1950 they cut two sides, “Moanin at Midnight” and “How Many More Years.” They were simultaneous hits, selling 60,000 copies and Wolf’s career was off and running.
Wolf continued to record with Sam Phillips and those early sides captured him at his most kinetic and savage. His red-blooded howls and moans literally oozed with wickedness and chased with buzz-saw harmonica it was like a wild animal let loose. Accompanying him were Willie Steele’s organic drumming and Willie Johnson’s sizzling guitar. Together they put a feral edge to the blues while Phillips eagerly laid it all down.
Some of these Sun recordings were leased to Chess Records in Chicago and by 1952 Wolf was enticed to sign with Chess and migrate north. The early 50s were the glory days of Chicago blues and Wolf, along with Muddy Waters, Little Walter, and Elmore James were the cream of the scene. But it was Waters who became Wolf’s biggest adversary, competing for songs at Chess and popularity in Chicago clubs. Wolf’s raucous backwoods, southern blues contradicted Waters’cooler, elegant style. Their rivalry even extended to who got the best songs from Chess house songwriter Willie Dixon.
By now Wolf had called on Hubert Sumlin to join him in Chicago from Memphis. Sumlin would become Wolf’s premier collaborator and his fervid guitar leads would perfectly accentuate the big man’s raw sound. Wolf even paid for Sumlin’s guitar lessons. He thought nothing of taking care of his band’s needs. Wolf was just as intent on bettering himself, studying at night school and taking music lessons.
His performances would become legendary. He took a song and overwhelmed it, put his whole being into it. For those who saw him live it was spiritual bordering on frightening. The Wolf yodel took its cue from the likes of Tommy Johnson and Jimmie Rogers, only it resembled more a possessed whoop. Meanwhile his band grooved with captivating hooks and galumphing rhythms that both black and white audiences could relate to.
The mid to late 50s saw Wolf’s band fine-tuning their craft in Chicago clubs and on the road. Eventually, they hit the charts in 1956 with “Smokestack Lightnin” and “Evil.” By 1959 Wolf’s electric blues were taking on a rock ’n roll intensity and fueled by Willie Dixon’s pen the hits came fast and furious. Songs like "Back Door Man," "Spoonful," "The Red Rooster," “Howlin For My Baby,” "Shake for Me," and "Wang Dang Doodle," all became rollicking hits.
Howlin Wolf would ultimately become inspiration to a new generation of rock ‘n roll blues players like The Rolling Stones, Captain Beefheart, Eric Clapton, The Doors, and Led Zeppelin. His primal energy and potent sound have been credited with laying the foundation for rock ‘n roll. He died of cancer on January 10, 1976. Written by Tim Kirker for Tuneresource Music Inc.
Rating:  [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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