10 Fascinating Facts About Howlin’ Wolf

Born as Chester Arthur Burnett on June 10, 1910, in White Station, Mississippi, Howlin’ Wolf emerged from the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta to become one of the most influential figures in blues music. With a booming voice that seemed to emanate from the depths of his soul, he captivated audiences with his raw, emotive style.

Growing up in a sharecropping family, Wolf was exposed to music at an early age, often listening to the sounds of gospel and blues drifting through the air. He picked up the guitar as a teenager, but it was his powerful voice that truly set him apart. His nickname, “Howlin’ Wolf,” was earned due to the intensity of his vocal delivery, which could evoke both joy and pain in equal measure.