Howlin’ Wolf    (1910—1976)

Chester Burnett, better known as Howlin’ Wolf, was a Chicago Blues artist and main rival of Muddy Waters.

Chester was born in White Station, MS.  When Chester was young his grandmother warned him that “the wolves will get you” if he kept on recklessly killing her baby chickens while handling them too roughly.  The name stuck.

An imposing man standing 6’3” and weighing near 300 lbs. Wolf patterned his guitar playing after Charlie Patton and learned harmonica from Sonny Boy Williamson II. He formed a band in West Memphis, AR that featured Matt “Guitar” Murphy.  His live radio broadcasts on KWEM radio caught the ear of Ike Turner who introduced him to Sam Phillips of Sun Records in Memphis, TN.

Phillips licensed his recordings to Leonard Chess who urged him to relocate to Chicago in 1952.

Howlin’ Wolf is best known for his recordings “I Ain’t Superstitious,” “Little Red Rooster,” “Spoonful,” and “Smokestack Lightning.”  Many of Howlin’ Wolf’s songs were included in the repertoire of many rock acts including The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, and Cream.