Howlin’ Wolf

Chester Arthur Burnett (June 10, 1910 – January 10, 1976) Born in White Station, MS. The name “Howlin’ Wolf” originated from Burnett’s maternal grandfather, who would admonish him for killing his grandmother’s chicks from reckless squeezing by warning him that wolves in the area would come and get him.

In 1951, Sam Phillips at Memphis Recording Service (later renamed Sun Studio) praised his singing, saying, “God, what it would be worth on film to see the fervour in that man’s face when he sang. His eyes would light up, you’d see the veins come out on his neck and, buddy, there was nothing on his mind but that song. He sang with his damn soul.”

His list of awards and nominations is extensive, including a Grammy Hall of Fame Award, 3 songs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 8 Blues Foundation Awards, and 5 Hall of Fame inductions. And on September 17, 1994, the U.S. Postal Service issued a 29-cent commemorative postage stamp in his honor!