Member Since: 3/15/2006
Band Members: Chester "Howlin' Wolf" Burnett on vocals, harmonica and sometimes guitar; Hubert Sumlin on lead guitar (usually); Willie Dixon on bass (sometimes); plus various other backing musicians.
Influences: Charlie Patton, who taught him the rudiments of guitar, as well as the Mississippi Sheiks, Tommy Johnson and country singer Jimmie Rodgers, whose famous "blue yodel" the Wolf integrated into his singing style. His harmonica playing was modelled on that of Rice Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson). The Wolf played with Robert Johnson in the Mississippi Delta. The music he would later play in Memphis and Chicago owed much to the styles of Patton and Robert Johnson. But thanks to his powerhouse voice, energetic live performances and underrated harmonica and guitar skills, the Wolf had a sound and persona that were all his own.
Sounds Like: Chicago blues, early R&B and rock 'n' roll
Record Label: Chess Records (also did a few sides for Modern)
Type of Label: Indie