Howlin' Wolf

Chester Arthur Burnett, born June 10, 1910, was an influential American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player. Born in White Station, Mississippi, Chester was nicknamed Big Foot Chester and Bull Cow because of his massive size. Eventually growing to 6 foot 6, and close to 300 pounds, he was an imposing presence with one of the loudest and most memorable voices. During the 1930s, Wolf performed in the South as a solo performer and with a number of blues musicians. Howlin' Wolf, as named by his grandfather, quickly became a local celebrity and soon began working with a band to start recording. He had a successful career as a performer and musician and had a bandwagon of fans to follow. Wolf was so financially successful that he was able to offer band members not only a decent salary, but benefits such as health insurance. Howlin' Wolf credits being able to stay away from all the drugs, alcohol and loose women to help him keep his money. Burnett died at Hines VA Hospital in Hines, Illinois on January 10, 1976 after suffering several heart attacks and a 1970 car crash in which his kidneys were severely damaged.




Honors and Inductions-
On September 17, 1994 the U.S. Post Office issued a Howlin' Wolf 29 cents commemorative postage stamp.

Howlin' Wolf Inductions
Year Category Result Notes
2003 Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame Inducted
1991 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inducted Early Influences
1980 Blues Hall of Fame Inducted

Howlin' Wolf Grammy Award History[6]
Year Title Genre Label Year Inducted
1956 Smokestack Lightning Blues (Single) Chess 1999

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame listed three songs by Howlin' Wolf of the 500 songs that shaped rock and roll.[7]

Year Recorded Title
1956 Smokestack Lightning
1960 Spoonful
1962 The Red Rooster

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