Portrait of Howlin' Wolf

Howlin' Wolf

Origin: West Point, Mississippi, USA Years: June 10, 1910 - January 10, 1976

Howlin' Wolf, born Chester Arthur Burnett, was one of the most influential Chicago blues singers and guitarists of the 20th century. Known for his imposing physical presence (6'6" and 300 lbs), thunderous voice that ranged from growls to falsettos, and dynamic stage performances, Wolf recorded some of the most enduring blues classics for Chess Records from 1951 to 1962. His songs became staples for countless rock, blues, and R&B artists, with 'Spoonful' and 'Smokestack Lightnin'' becoming genre-defining tracks. A Grammy Hall of Fame inductee and member of both the Blues Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Howlin' Wolf's raw emotional delivery and innovative arrangements shaped the development of modern blues and rock music.

Chicago BluesElectric BluesBluesBlues RockR&BDelta BluesUrban Blues

Discography Overview

During his recording career from 1951 to 1973, Wolf released over 120 songs across Chess Records and its subsidiaries, including multiple R&B chart hits. His Chess Records catalog (1951-1962) produced seminal blues tracks like 'Smokestack Lightnin,'' 'Spoonful,' and 'Killing Floor,' which became essential repertoire for blues and rock musicians. His 1971 'London Sessions' album featured collaborations with Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, and other British rock stars, demonstrating his cross-generational influence. Posthumously, his work has been recognized with Grammy Hall of Fame inductions for 'Smokestack Lightnin'' (1999) and 'Spoonful' (1999), and his recordings have sold over 10 million copies worldwide.

Key Albums

  • Moanin' in the Moonlight (1959)
  • Howlin' Wolf (1962)
  • The Rockin' Chair Album (1963)
  • The Back Door Wolf (1971)
  • Live in Cook County Jail (1972)
  • The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions (1971)

Key Songs

  • Smokestack Lightnin'
  • Spoonful
  • The Red Rooster
  • How Many More Years
  • Evil
  • Killing Floor
  • Wang Dang Doodle
  • Back Door Man
  • I Asked for Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)
  • 300 Pounds of Joy
  • Sitting on Top of the World
  • Goin' Down Slow

Career Timeline

  1. 1930s Began performing in juke joints and at house parties throughout Mississippi Delta region
  2. 1936 Bought first guitar; performed with blues legend Charley Patton
  3. 1948 Moved to Chicago after military service; began performing in local blues clubs
  4. 1951 Signed with Chess Records; first recording session produced 'How Many More Years' and 'Moan at Midnight'
  5. 1952 Released 'Mr. Highway Man' and 'I Asked for Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)'; built regional following
  6. 1956 Signed with Checker Records (Chess subsidiary); released 'Smokestack Lightnin'' and 'I've Got a Mind to Give Up Living'
  7. 1959 Released debut album 'Moanin' in the Moonlight' featuring classics 'The Red Rooster' and 'Evil'
  8. 1960 Recorded 'Spoonful' with session guitarist Hubert Sumlin; song became blues standard
  9. 1962 Released self-titled album featuring 'Killing Floor,' 'Back Door Man,' and 'Wang Dang Doodle'
  10. 1963 Released 'The Rockin' Chair Album' with 'Shake for Me' and 'Going Down Slow'
  11. 1969 Suffered major heart attack; underwent triple bypass surgery at age 59
  12. 1971 Recorded 'The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions' with Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, and other British rock musicians
  13. 1972 Released 'The Back Door Wolf' album and 'Live in Cook County Jail' live recording
  14. 1976 Died from heart failure in Chicago at age 65; survived by legacy as one of blues music's greatest vocalists
  15. 1980 Inducted into Blues Hall of Fame
  16. 1991 Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  17. 1999 Inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame for 'Smokestack Lightnin'' and 'Spoonful'

Influence Graph

How Howlin' Wolf sits in the influence chain

Influenced by

  • Charley Patton
  • Sonny Boy Williamson Ii
  • Tommy Johnson
  • Mississippi Delta Blues
  • T Bone Walker

Influenced

  • The Rolling Stones
  • Led Zeppelin
  • The Doors
  • Eric Clapton
  • The Allman Brothers Band
  • Creedence Clearwater Revival
  • Jimmy Page
  • The Black Crowes

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