What you all need is some Howlin' Wolf

[Zomby Woof]

Howlin' Wolf was possibly the most electrifying performer in modern blues history and a recording artist whose only rivals among his contemporaries were Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller), Little Walter, and Muddy Waters. Like these artists, Wolf was a dean of electric Chicago blues during the genre's heyday in the l950s and early l960s. A large, intimidating man who stood well over six feet tall and weighed close to three hundred pounds, Wolf's gripping histrionics and sheer physical intensity gave new meaning to the blues nearly every time he performed. He would jump about the stage like an angry man trying to work off dangerous steam, or wriggle on the floor as if he was in unbearable pain, or whoop and howl and hoot like someone who had succumbed to the worst of demons. Wolf acted out his most potent blues; he became the living embodiment of its most powerful forces.

Musically, Wolf was an amalgam of blues styles. His originality lay in the way he crafted all his influences into one invigorating form. He learned how to play guitar by watching and listening to Charley Patton, from whom he also picked up valuable performing pointers (Patton was known to accent his performances with all kinds of pre-rock & roll showmanship). Wolf was taught how to play harmonica by none other than Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller) after the harp player had married Wolf 's half-sister. Finally, Wolf learned the art of expanding the range of his cracked, gruff voice with yodels and moans from the likes of Tommy Johnson and the blues-influenced country singer Jimmie Rogers. When Wolf merged all of these elements and projected them from his massive frame, the results could stir even the most passive or skeptical listener.

That Wolf didn't begin to record until the onset of middle age gave him plenty of time to absorb the meaning of the blues. He spent his first forty or so years balancing the life of a bluesman with that of a farmer. He knew better than many of the celebrated blues artists who came after him, of the unbreakable bond the blues had with the land and the labor that went into working it, especially in theDelta.

More: http://www.wpnet.org/wolf_bio.htm

[NightTrain]

1. Wolf was one of the true greats.

The raspy malevolence of his singing voice never fails to draw me in!

[Kenneth ken]

2. built for comfort

[southerngirlwriter]

3. I thought your thread title was:

"What you need is Howling Woof," and I was all thinking thoughts again.... :D :loveya: :D

[ronzo]

4. Yeah You Right!

He's always been my favorite.

:toast:

[Zomby Woof]

5. I'm the wolf baby!

[GOPisEvil]

6. Love the Wolf!

:thumbsup:

[mitchum]

7. He was the greatest rockandroll star ever!

I know that the genre is blues, but if you look at his attributes he had everything that makes one a rock star (okay, except for the young pretty white face and lots of money)

He is my favorite singer

8. true but let's hear it for Little Walter also

I know you mentioned him, I'm just doing it some more.