Howlin' Wolf: A Chicago Blues Legend June 9, 2011

Howlin' Wolf, born Chester Burnett in White Station, Mississippi in 1910, was one of the loudest and most memorable of all the classic Chicago blues performers. Country singer Jimmie Rodgers was his childhood idol, but instead of emulating Rodgers' rhythmic yodeling, he did more of a growl, or, as it became known, a "howl." Wolf formed his own blues band around 1948 and made his first recordings for the Chess label in 1951. Unlike many other blues musicians during that era, Howlin' Wolf was financially successful during his career.