The origins of rock ‘n’ roll remain one of the most debated topics in music history. While Elvis Presley is widely credited with defining the genre in mid-20th-century America, modern perspectives have shifted to examine the Black artists whose groundbreaking contributions laid the foundation for rock music—artists who have historically received far less recognition than their white counterparts who helped popularize the genre for mainstream audiences.
Long before DJ Alan Freed popularized the term “rock ‘n’ roll,” the genre was quietly taking shape. Its foundations were built from a blend of blues, country, and R&B, emerging from the underprivileged Black communities of America’s Southern states. One key figure in this musical evolution was Chester Burnett—better known as Howlin’ Wolf—whose journey began in Mississippi.
In 1928, Wolf scraped together enough money to buy his first guitar and studied under the iconic Delta bluesman Charley Patton. Throughout the 1930s, he performed solo, collaborated with fellow legends like Robert Johnson and Willie Brown, and developed his trademark howling vocal style.
After a turbulent experience in the U.S. Army—where he endured frequent abuse from drill instructors due to his illiteracy—Wolf received an honorable discharge. He returned to farm life in Arkansas before reigniting his passion for music by forming a new band. His lineup included guitarists Willie Johnson and Matt Murphy, Junior Parker on harmonica, drummer Willie Steele, and a pianist nicknamed ‘Destruction’. Together, they performed live on West Memphis’ KWEM radio, gaining local attention.
One notable listener was a 19-year-old Ike Turner, who, working as a talent scout, invited Wolf to record at Memphis Recording Service (later known as Sun Studio). There, in 1951, Wolf recorded his debut single for Chess Records: the double A-side “Moanin’ at Midnight” / “How Many More Years.”
This record would prove pivotal—not only for Wolf’s career but also for the broader trajectory of popular music. It marked a turning point toward the electrified, hard-edged sound that would soon dominate rock ‘n’ roll. After moving to Chicago, Howlin’ Wolf became one of the city’s leading electric blues innovators and a towering presence in the genre.
As Bob Dylan’s 1970s guitarist T-Bone Burnett explained in a 2012 interview with Alternatives to Valium, Wolf’s music marked a revolutionary shift in production values. “That’s when he started bringing the bass and drums up loud,” Burnett said. “Back in those days, the bass and drums were background instruments; it was all about the horns and the piano, the melody instruments. And Sam [Phillips, producer] brought the rhythm section right up front, and that became rock ‘n’ roll. That was a big shift…”
Burnett went further, claiming: “In some ways ‘How Many More Years’ by Wolf would be the first rock ’n’ roll song because that has the guitar lick that became the central guitar lick in rock ‘n’ roll, and that’s the first time we heard that played on a distorted guitar. It was an old big band lick, turned into something completely fresh.”
Howlin’ Wolf’s influence reached far beyond early rock. Bands like The Rolling Stones were deeply inspired by his recordings. Their cover of Wolf’s “Little Red Rooster” topped the UK charts, and the Stones invited the blues legend to perform with them on ABC-TV’s Shindig!, introducing his raw Delta sound to a new generation of listeners.
While history often highlights more commercial figures in the rock pantheon, the contribution of Howlin’ Wolf remains undeniably profound. His raw, electrified energy and innovative sound played a vital role in shaping the DNA of rock ‘n’ roll—perhaps even more than we’ve long acknowledged.
Related Topics
- Bill Anschell Blends Acoustic Jazz Roots with Bold Electronic Experimentation
- Mudhoney’s ‘Touch Me I’m Sick’ Solo Crowned the Purest Expression of Grunge Guitar
- UJAM Launches CINEDREAM: Bridging Electric Guitar and Cinematic Sound Design
