Howlin' Wolf (Chester Arthur Burnett, 1910-1976) was a Mississippi-born giant of Chicago blues, recording for Chess with that booming growl and Hubert Sumlin's guitar. The 1962 Rocking Chair Album and Moanin' in the Moonlight (1958) are cornerstones — covered by the Stones, Cream, and Led Zeppelin ever since. Dig into Howlin' Wolf vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
Chester Arthur Burnett was born in White Station, Mississippi on June 10, 1910. He grew up working on plantations and was mentored by Charley Patton in the Mississippi Delta blues tradition. He moved to Memphis in the late 1940s and recorded for Sam Phillips at Memphis Recording Service before moving to Chicago in 1953 and signing with Chess Records, where he recorded for the rest of his career. He is widely cited alongside Muddy Waters as the most important Chicago blues vocalist, with his distinctive growling, deep vocal delivery and physical performance style influencing countless rock and blues vocalists. His songs (frequently written by Willie Dixon) have been extensively covered by the Rolling Stones, Cream, Led Zeppelin, the Doors, and many others. He died of complications from kidney disease on January 10, 1976 at age 65.
Howlin' Wolf's sound is foundational to Chicago blues - combining Mississippi Delta blues, Chicago blues, electric blues, and proto-rock-and-roll with his distinctive booming baritone vocal delivery, intense physical performance approach, and longtime collaborative work with guitarist Hubert Sumlin and bassist/songwriter Willie Dixon.
Original Chess pressings of the Howlin' Wolf catalog are foundational items in blues collecting. Multiple anniversary editions, audiophile reissues, and the comprehensive Chess Box collection have been released.
Listeners new to Howlin' Wolf typically start with the 1962 Rocking Chair Album or Moanin' in the Moonlight (1958).
