Happy Birthday Hubert Sumlin! (November 16, 1931)

byFrankB-1

6.6K followers

2 years ago

Hi WA Friends!

Let's celebrate the birthday of one of the greatest blues guitar players ever, Hubert Sumlin!

Never heard of him? If you know the music of Howlin' Wolf (aka Chester Arthur Burnett), then you've heard his playing a lot more than you think!

A Little Background

Hubert was born in Greenwood, Mississippi, in 1931 and began playing the guitar at an early age. His playing style was influenced by Delta blues greats like Charlie Patton and Robert Johnson.

In the early 1950s, he moved to Chicago and joined Howlin' Wolf's band in 1954, contributing significantly to the Chicago blues sound. Wolf insisted that Hubert learn to play without using a guitar pick, which helped him develop his unique style.

The two became an inseparable duo for the next three decades. Sumlin's fiery, expressive guitar playing perfectly complemented Wolf's powerful vocals, and together, they created some of the most iconic blues music of all time.

His recordings with Howlin' Wolf on tracks like "Smokestack Lightning" and "Killing Floor" are legendary!

After Wolf's death in 1976, Sumlin continued to perform and record as a solo artist, releasing a number of critically acclaimed albums. He also collaborated with a variety of other blues artists, including Muddy Waters, Taj Mahal, and Keith Richards.

His Gear (For WA "Gearheads" Lol)

Guitars

Hubert's distinctive sound was also shaped by his choice of instruments. Early on, he favored Gibson guitars, like the Les Paul and the ES-335, known for their warm, rich tones. Later, he moved to the Fender Stratocaster, which provided a crisper, more piercing sound that complemented his fingerpicking style.

Amplifiers

Hubert used mainly Fender amplifiers, like the Bassman and the Twin Reverb, which also contributed to his unique sound, adding clarity and a bit of bite to his bluesy licks.

Honors and Awards

Hubert Sumlin's influence in the blues world was recognized through numerous honors and awards:

• Blues Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2008.
• Grammy Nominations: (1999, 2000, 2006, and 2010)
• Lifetime Achievement Award: In 2012, the Blues Foundation.
• Rolling Stone Ranking: In 2023, he was ranked #73 in their "250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" (too low on the list, in my opinion!).

Discography With Howlin' Wolf

Sumlin's collaboration with Howlin' Wolf produced some of the most influential blues records ever. Here's a complete list of their work together. If you must listen to only one album, I recommend Howlin' Wolf" (1962).

1. "Moanin' in the Moonlight" (1959)
2. "Howlin' Wolf" (1962)
3. "The Real Folk Blues" (1965)
4. "More Real Folk Blues" (1967)
5. "The Super Super Blues Band" (1967, with Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters)
6. "The Howlin' Wolf Album" (1969)
7. "Message to the Young" (1971)
8. "The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions" (1971, with Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Bill Wyman, and Charlie Watts)
9. "The Back Door Wolf" (1973)

Hubert's Solo Recordings

"Blues Guitar Boss" (1990) is a great starting point for avid Blues listeners and players!

1. "Hubert Sumlin's Blues Party" (1987)
2. "Healing Feeling" (1989)
3. "Heart & Soul" (1990)
4. "Blues Guitar Boss" (1990)
5. "I Know You" (1998)
6. "Wake Up Call" (1998)
7. "About Them Shoes" (2004)
8. "Made in Argentina 1993" (2005)

Hubert's innovative playing style and unique sound led to some of the most iconic blues tracks ever recorded! He passed away on December 4, 2011 (aged 80).

Happy Birthday, Hubert! 🎂

Let me know what you think in the comments, AND ...

Keep On Rockin'! 🤘
Frank 🎸

~ 75% Human-written content.