Howlin’ Wolf: The Roaring Voice of Chicago Blues & Rock’s Foundation

Chester Arthur Burnett, known as Howlin’ Wolf, was born on June 10, 1910, in White Station, Mississippi, near West Point. He grew up on a cotton plantation, where early exposure to local music shaped his path toward becoming a blues musician.

Howlin’ Wolf started performing in the 1930s in Mississippi juke joints, playing guitar and harmonica while developing a powerful vocal style. In 1948, he moved to West Memphis, Arkansas, formed a band, and performed on KWEM radio. His recordings for Sun Records, including “Moanin’ at Midnight” and “How Many More Years,” led to a contract with Chess Records in 1951. After moving to Chicago in 1952, he became a key figure in electric Chicago blues. His primary genres were Chicago blues, electric blues, and blues rock. Notable songs include “Smokestack Lightnin’,” “Spoonful,” “Little Red Rooster,” “Killing Floor,” and “Back Door Man,” many written by Willie Dixon. His 1962 album, Howlin’ Wolf, is a significant work in blues history. He earned a Blues Music Award in 1985 for this album and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.

Howlin’ Wolf – Dust My Broom – From Devil Got My Woman Blues at Newport 1966.

Howlin’ Wolf’s contributions to music include adapting Delta blues into the electric Chicago blues style, shaping urban blues in the 1950s and 1960s. His work with guitarist Hubert Sumlin produced a defining sound, with Sumlin’s guitar complementing Wolf’s vocals. His recordings for Chess Records helped establish the label’s prominence in blues. His songs were covered by artists like The Rolling Stones, The Doors, and Jimi Hendrix, connecting blues to rock and roll. He performed with musicians such as Willie Johnson, Jody Williams, and Buddy Guy, and was known for managing his band professionally, ensuring fair pay.

Howlin’ Wolf’s music remains influential and widely performed today.