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Born Chester Arthur Burnett, he was nicknamed "Big Foot" and "Bull Cow" in his early years, and he explained the origin of the name "Howlin' Wolf" thusly: "I got that from my grandfather, he used to tell me stories about the wolves in that part of the country." As a youth he listened to Charley Patton, who taught him the rudiments of guitar, as well as to the Mississippi Sheiks , Tommy Johnson and Jimmie Rodgers, whose famous "blue yodel" Burnett integrated into his singing style. His harmonica playing was modelled on that of Rice Miller ( Sonny Boy Williamson).

He farmed during the 1930s, served in the United States Army, and by 1948 had formed a band which included guitarists Willie Johnson and M. T. Murphy, harmonica-player Junior Parker , a pianist named Destruction, and drummer Willie Steele. He began broadcasting in West Memphis, Arkansas, and auditioned for Sam Phillips' Memphis Recording Service in 1951.

Howlin' Wolf quickly became a local celebrity, and soon began working with a band that included both Willie Johnson and guitarist Pat Hare. His first recordings came in 1951Events January events January 9 United Nations headquarters officially opens ( New York City). January 15 Ilse Koch, The "Witch of Buchenwald," wife of the commandant of the Buchenwald concentration camp, is sentenced to life imprisonment in a court in We, when he was simultaneously signed to The Bihari Brothers ' Modern Records and to Leonard ChessLeonard Chess ( March 12, 1917 October 16, 1969) was a record company executive, founder of Chess Records. Born in Poland, Chess was influential in the development of electric blues. He and his brother, Philip,were pivotal in the Chicago nightclub scene b' Chess RecordsThis is an article about the phonograph record label "Chess Records". For records in the game of Chess, see World records in Chess''. Chess Records was a USA record label, based in Chicago, Illinois. It was run by the brothers Leonard Chess and Phil Chess. Chess issued Howlin' Wolf's "How Many More Years" in August 1951; Wolf also recorded sides for Modern, with Ike TurnerIke Turner (born Izear Luster Turner Jr. born November 5, 1931) is an American musician ( piano, guitar), bandleader, talent scout and record producer. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Turner was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi. His music, in late 1951 and early 1952. Chess eventually won the war over the singer, and Wolf settled in Chicago. He began playing with guitarist Hubert Sumlin , whose terse, curlicued solos perfectly complemented Burnett's huge voice and surprisingly subtle phrasing. In the mid-'50s Wolf released "Evil" and "Smokestack Lightnin,'" both major R&B hits.

His 1962 album Howlin' Wolf is one of the most famous and influential blues records, known for its cover illustration of a rocking chair. This album contained "Wang Dang Doodle," "Goin' Down Slow," "Spoonful" and "The Red Rooster," songs which found their way into the repertoires of British and American bands infatuated with Chicago blues. In 1965 he appeared on the television show Shindig along with the Rolling StonesThis article is about the rock band. For the science-fiction novel by Robert Heinlein, see The Rolling Stones (novel). For the music industry magazine, see Rolling Stone. The Rolling Stones are a British rock band who rose to prominence during the mid- 19, who had covered "The Red Rooster" on an early album. He was often backed by bassist, songwriter Willie DixonWillie Dixon ( July 1 1915 January 29 1992) was a well-known American blues bassist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Dixon was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and died in Burbank, California. Dixon was a producer for Chess and Checker Records in who authored such Howlin' Wolf standards as "Spoonful,", 'I Ain't Superstitious," "Little Red Rooster," "Back Door Man," 'Evil," 'Wang Dang Doodle,' [primarily known as a a Koko Taylor hit] and others.

He recorded his last album for Chess, The Back Door Wolf, in 1973.

Howlin' Wolf, Rice Miller, Little WalterLittle Walter (born Walter Jacobs ( May 1 1930 February 15 1968) was a blues singer and harmonica player. Walter is generally included among blues music greats: Ry Cooder 's opinion is that Little Walter was the single greatest blues musician ever. His re Jacobs and Muddy Waters are usually regarded as the greatest blues artists who recorded for Chess in Chicago. Sam Phillips once remarked of Chester Arthur Burnett, "When I heard Howlin' Wolf, I said, 'This is for me. This is where the soul of man never dies.' "