Moanin’ at Midnight: The Life and Times of Howlin’ Wolf
by James Segrest and Mark Hoffman
Pantheon (2004)
Howlin’ Wolf (Chester Arthur Burnett)–all six feet three inches and 300 pounds of him–is a god of the blues. Moanin’ is the first full length biography capturing this giant of American music.
From a hard childhood around West Point, Mississippi, Wolf emerged to become immortal, even expressing desire to play the blues on the moon. This landmark biography captures the times and influences upon this icon. In the 30s, as a young man he was playing next to Sonny Boy II, from whom he learned to play the harp and Robert Johnson.
In the early 50s Wolf hit Chicago, recording for Chess, and the world opened up. Working with Willie Dixon, and backed by Hubert Sumlin, Wolf developed a style of overwhelming intensity. His presence was created with a feral state of antics, crawling around on all fours, howling out masculinity. Women found him irresistible. It was music that would pitch a wang dang doodle and tear the house down.
Moanin’ at Midnight captures it all, helping us to understand how Wolf, Muddy, Sonny Boy, Little Water and a parade of others–led by Willie Dixon– defined electric blues for the world.
Howlin’ Wolf’s final performance was in Chicago with B. B. King in November of 1975. This larger than life giant passed away in January of 1976.
West Point, Mississippi now honors the Wolf this time of year with the “Howlin’ Wolf Memorial Blues Festival.”
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