About Howlin' Wolf
Howlin’ Wolf, born Chester Arthur Burnett on June 10, 1910, in White Station, Mississippi, was one of the most powerful and influential figures in Chicago blues. Standing over six feet tall with a booming, gravelly voice, Wolf’s commanding presence matched the raw intensity of his music. He was deeply influenced by Delta blues pioneers Charley Patton and Son House before migrating to Chicago in the 1950s, where he electrified the blues sound. Recording primarily for Chess Records, Howlin’ Wolf produced enduring classics such as “Smokestack Lightning,” “Spoonful,” “Back Door Man,” and “Killing Floor,” many written by Willie Dixon. His music blended deep emotion, primal energy, and lyrical mysticism, shaping the development of rock and blues worldwide. Artists like the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Jack White have cited him as a major influence. Howlin’ Wolf remained respected for his professionalism and integrity until his death in 1976.
Discography
Music of Howlin' Wolf
Moanin' In The Moonlight – Chess - 1959
Howling Wolf Sings The Blues - Crown Records - 1962
Howlin' Wolf – Chess - 1962
Folk Festival Of The Blues – Argo - 1963
The Real Folk Blues – Chess - 1966
Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley – The Super Super Blues Band – Checker - 1967
More Real Folk Blues – Chess - 1967
The Howlin' Wolf Album - Cadet Concept - 1969
The London Howlin’ Wolf Sessions – Chess - 1971
Message To The Young – Chess - 1971
Live And Cookin' At Alice's Revisited – Chess - 1972
The Back Door Wolf – Chess - 1973
Muddy Waters & Howlin' Wolf – London Revisited – Chess – 1974
Change My Way – Chess - 1975
The Legendary Sun Performers - Charly Records – 1977
Heart Like Railroad Steel (Memphis & Chicago Blues 1951–57) – Blues Ball – 1979
Can't Put Me Out (Chicago 1956–72, Volume II) - Blues Ball - 1979
All Night Boogie - Stack-O-Hits - 1981
Muddy Waters & Howlin' Wolf – Muddy & The Wolf – Chess - 1982
Live In Europe 1964 – Sundown – 1983
His Greatest Sides, Vol. 1 – Chess - 1984
Live 1975 (LP, Album, Ltd) - Wolf Records - 1988
Live In Cambridge, MA., 1966 - Fan Club – 1991
The Chess Box – Howlin’ Wolf – Chess/MCA – 1991
Howlin’ Wolf Rides Again – Flair/Virgin – 1991
Ain’t Going to be Your Dog – Chess/ MCA - 1994
Live – MasterTone – 1996
His Best – Chess/MCA – 1997 (re-issue on Geffen, 2007)
His Best Vol. 2 – Chess/MCA – 1999
Smokestack Lightning (The Complete Chess Masters 1951–1960 - Hip-O Select/Geffen - 2011
Big City Blues (2) & Howlin' Wolf – Big City Blues & Howlin' Wolf In Warsaw - Polskie Radio - 2015
Killing Floor Live '64 & '73 - RockBeat Records - 2015
Howlin' Wolf – Best Of The Sun Records Sessions - ORG Music - 2017
"Howlin' Wolf" Chester Burnett* Featuring Willie Johnson – Boy, You Got More Blues Here! Originally Unreleased Tracks, Vol.2 - Bear Family Records - 2023
"Howlin' Wolf" Chester Burnett* Featuring Willie Johnson - Boy, You Got The Blues There! Originally Unreleased Tracks, Vol.1 - Bear Family Records – 2023
Howlin’ Wolf Live in Europe 1964 (reissue) – Southern Echoes - 2024
