Howlin' Wolf
Blues singer, guitarist, harmonica player. A key figure in bridging the early Delta Blues with the more modern Electric Blues. His tutelage on the Mississippi Delta included guitar and showmanship from and harmonica teachings from . By the end of the 1930’s he was a fixture on the Southern Club scene. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on April 9, 1941 and discharged on November 3, 1943. He then moved near West Memphis, Arkansas. In 1948 he formed a band which included guitarists & Matt “Guitar” Murphy, harmonica player , and drummer . In 1951, recorded several songs by Howlin’ Wolf at his , and he became a local celebrity. After secured his contract, The Wolf relocated to Chicago in 1952. It was in Chicago that his legendary status was secured. Playing with prominent blues musicians such as , and his longtime guitarist , his everchanging lineups remained stellar thanks in part to Burnetts’ admirable policies of paying his musicians well and on time, even including unemployment insurance and Social Security contributions, basically unheard of among his peers. Over the years many of his songs have been interpreted by rock bands, including “Little Red Rooster”, “Back Door Man”, “Killing Floor”, & “Spoonful”. , with his Memphis and Chicago recordings, his status and influence, surely is one of the vital links between Blues and Rock. Inducted into Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 . Born June 10, 1910 West Point, Mississippi, USA. Died January 10, 1976 Hines, Illinois, USA.
