Hubert Sumlin 1931-2011

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 5, 2011 10:30PM

Another legend of Chicago blues was lost with the passing of Hubert Sumlin at the age of 80, reportedly from heart failure. Mr. Sumlin will forever be known for his nearly quarter-century tenure as Howlin' Wolf's lead guitarist. Mr. Sumlin's expressive, angular guitar playing "put the bite behind Howlin' Wolf," in the words of Sun-Times "Back in my Day" correspondent Dave Hoekstra, and influenced a generation of English rock guitar players weaned on the blues in Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Keith Richards.

Mr. Sumlin went on to have a successful solo career of his own following Wolf's 1976 death, but it's his playing on songs such as "Ain't Superstitious," "Smokestack Lightning" and "Spoonful" for which he'll long be remembered.

Here's a video clip of a 1964 Howlin' Wolf show in England, with Sumlin on guitar.

Mr. Sumlin performed as late as last year, as he did at last year's Crossroads Blues festival with Robert Cray and Jimmie Vaughn,

Here's an interview with Mr. Sumlin from the Boston Blues Festival.

And Keith Richards reflected on recording with Mr. Sumlin in 2004.