Chester Arthur Burnett (June 10, 1910 in White Station, Mississippi, Unite… Read Full Bio ↴Chester Arthur Burnett (June 10, 1910 in White Station, Mississippi, United States – January 10, 1976 in Hines, Illinois, United States), known as Howlin' Wolf, was an influential American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player.
With a booming voice and looming physical presence, Burnett is commonly ranked among the leading performers in electric blues; musician and critic Cub Koda declared, "no one could match Howlin' Wolf for the singular ability to rock the house down to the foundation while simultaneously scaring its patrons out of its wits." A number of songs written or popularized by Burnett—such as "Smokestack Lightnin'", "Back Door Man", "Killing Floor" and "Spoonful"—have become blues and blues rock standards.
At 6 feet, 6 inches (198 cm) and close to 300 pounds (136 kg), he was an imposing presence with one of the loudest and most memorable voices of all the "classic" 1950s Chicago blues singers. This rough-edged, slightly fearsome musical style is often contrasted with the less crude but still powerful presentation of his contemporary and professional rival, Muddy Waters. Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller), Little Walter Jacobs, and Muddy Waters are usually regarded in retrospect as the greatest blues artists who recorded for Chess in Chicago. Sam Phillips once remarked, "When I heard Howlin' Wolf, I said, 'This is for me. This is where the soul of man never dies.'" In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him #51 on their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".
Burnett died at Hines VA Hospital in Hines, Illinois on January 10, 1976 and was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Hillside, Cook County, Illinois in a plot in Section 18, on the east side of the road. His large gravestone, allegedly purchased by Eric Clapton, has an image of a guitar and harmonica etched into it.
The Howlin' Wolf Memorial Blues Festival is held each year in West Point, Mississippi. Wolf's Juke Joint Jam is another annual Howlin' Wolf tribute festival held in West Point. Some of the artists who have played 'Wolf Jam' include Wolf's lead guitarist Hubert Sumlin, Muddy Waters' back band of Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Calvin "Fuzz" Jones and "Steady Rollin" Bob Margolin, Willie King, Blind Mississippi Morris, Kenny Brown, Burnside Exploration, etc. The festival is held at the 500-acre (2.0 km2) festival grounds known as Waverly Waters Resort.
A popular music venue in New Orleans, Louisiana was named The Howlin' Wolf when it opened in 1988.
Burnett was portrayed by Eamonn Walker in the 2008 motion picture Cadillac Records.
With a booming voice and looming physical presence, Burnett is commonly ranked among the leading performers in electric blues; musician and critic Cub Koda declared, "no one could match Howlin' Wolf for the singular ability to rock the house down to the foundation while simultaneously scaring its patrons out of its wits." A number of songs written or popularized by Burnett—such as "Smokestack Lightnin'", "Back Door Man", "Killing Floor" and "Spoonful"—have become blues and blues rock standards.
At 6 feet, 6 inches (198 cm) and close to 300 pounds (136 kg), he was an imposing presence with one of the loudest and most memorable voices of all the "classic" 1950s Chicago blues singers. This rough-edged, slightly fearsome musical style is often contrasted with the less crude but still powerful presentation of his contemporary and professional rival, Muddy Waters. Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller), Little Walter Jacobs, and Muddy Waters are usually regarded in retrospect as the greatest blues artists who recorded for Chess in Chicago. Sam Phillips once remarked, "When I heard Howlin' Wolf, I said, 'This is for me. This is where the soul of man never dies.'" In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him #51 on their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".
Burnett died at Hines VA Hospital in Hines, Illinois on January 10, 1976 and was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Hillside, Cook County, Illinois in a plot in Section 18, on the east side of the road. His large gravestone, allegedly purchased by Eric Clapton, has an image of a guitar and harmonica etched into it.
The Howlin' Wolf Memorial Blues Festival is held each year in West Point, Mississippi. Wolf's Juke Joint Jam is another annual Howlin' Wolf tribute festival held in West Point. Some of the artists who have played 'Wolf Jam' include Wolf's lead guitarist Hubert Sumlin, Muddy Waters' back band of Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Calvin "Fuzz" Jones and "Steady Rollin" Bob Margolin, Willie King, Blind Mississippi Morris, Kenny Brown, Burnside Exploration, etc. The festival is held at the 500-acre (2.0 km2) festival grounds known as Waverly Waters Resort.
A popular music venue in New Orleans, Louisiana was named The Howlin' Wolf when it opened in 1988.
Burnett was portrayed by Eamonn Walker in the 2008 motion picture Cadillac Records.
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18The Red Rooster4:02Howlin' Wolf with Steve Winwood: Piano & Organ, Bill Wyman: Shaker & Cowbell, Charlie Watts: Drums, Conga & Assorted Percussion
19What A Woman! (a/k/a Commit A Crime) - Alternate Take5:10Howlin' Wolf with Steve Winwood: Piano & Organ, Bill Wyman: Shaker & Cowbell, Charlie Watts: Drums, Conga & Assorted Percussion
20Who's Been Talking?5:51Howlin' Wolf with Steve Winwood: Piano & Organ, Bill Wyman: Shaker & Cowbell, Charlie Watts: Drums, Conga & Assorted Percussion
21Worried About My Baby3:43Howlin' Wolf with Steve Winwood: Piano & Organ, Bill Wyman: Shaker & Cowbell, Charlie Watts: Drums, Conga & Assorted Percussion
23Highway 493:39Howlin' Wolf with Steve Winwood: Piano & Organ, Bill Wyman: Bass Guitar, Charlie Watts: Drums, Conga & Assorted Percussion
24Do The Do5:44Howlin' Wolf with Steve Winwood: Piano & Organ, Bill Wyman: Bass Guitar, Shaker & Cowbell, Charlie Watts: Drums, Conga & Assorted Percussion
25Poor Boy4:27Howlin' Wolf with Steve Winwood: Piano & Organ, Bill Wyman: Bass Guitar, Shaker & Cowbell, Charlie Watts: Drums, Conga & Assorted Percussion
26I Ain't Superstitious3:53Howlin' Wolf with Steve Winwood: Piano & Organ, Bill Wyman: Bass Guitar, Shaker & Cowbell, Charlie Watts: Drums, Conga & Assorted Percussion
27What A Woman! (AKA Commit A Crime)3:10Howlin' Wolf with Steve Winwood: Piano & Organ, Bill Wyman: Bass Guitar, Shaker & Cowbell Charlie Watts: Drums, Conga & Assorted Percussion
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The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Built for Comfort Some folk built like this, some folk built like that But…
Do the Do Well I know I've got a babe And I know her Love is…
Goin' Down Slow (speaks) Man, you know I've enjoyed things that kings and qu…
Highway 49 (originally by Big Joe Williams) Well I'm gonna get up in…
I Ain't Superstitious Well, I ain't superstitious, black cat just crossed my trail…
Killing Floor I should have quit you, a long time ago I should…
Poor Boy I'm a poor boy, I'm a long way from home I'm…
Rockin' Daddy Yes, you call me the rocker, I can really rock…
Sitting On Top Of The World One summer day She went away She gone and left me She gone…
The Red Rooster I have a little red rooster Too lazy to crow for…
Wang Dang Doodle Tell Automatic Slim , tell Razor-Totin' Jim Tell Butcher Kni…
What a Woman! I'm gonna leave you woman, before I commit a crime. I'm…
Who's Been Talkin' My baby caught the train, left me all alone My baby…
Who's Been Talking? My baby caught the train, left me all alone My baby…
Worried About My Baby Lookie here baby what you tryin' to do, tryin' to…