Good Old Howlin’ Wolf! A curious and interesting character I was introduced to initially from the Cadillac Records movie and again during our most recent lecture. Howlin’ Wolf like his name was unique – rather large man with a dark complexion and a rough yet smooth voice. The reason why Howlin’ Wolf is such a great man to talk about is because he is a genuine American dream story.

Howlin’ Wolf was born into poverty in the deep south – Mississippi to be exact. He would encounter a rough life with his mother throwing him out of the house and later living shortly will an uncle who treated him badly. Eventually, Howlin’ Wolf would run away to live with his father — another unique situation as not only was life stable but that is where Howlin’ Wolf got introduced and connected with the blues.

In the years to come Howlin’ Wolf would move to Chicago and start really pushing out music and going on tours. However, he was very smart with his money even though his education level would never surpass getting a GED. In a time when many African American acts would find much success in the music industry and yet die broke and in debt is a strange and commendable. The secret is that Howlin’ Wolf lived frugally — yet still offered health insurance and good pay to his workers and not to mention he married an educated women who assisted with his business planning.

As for his name Chester Arthur Bennett is said to have got his name from his grandfather who would say that the “howling wolves would get him” if he misbehaved. Either way — I think his voice more than made up for the name. I found it very interesting that Howlin’ Wolf received a good part of class time and was impressed!

Sources:

http://www.biography.com/people/howlin-wolf-9345565#revered-by-rock-acts