In honor of Howlin’ Wolf’s 98th birthday on June 10, here are 10 of his hippest riffs with the great Hubert Sumlin.
1 “Killing Floor” (1954). This bloody knuckled lockstep masterpiece caught the ears of Jimi Hendrix, Mike Bloomfield, Albert King, and a host of others.
2 “Spoonful” (1960). All Clapton and Cream needed to add were volume and distortion. Sumlin’s bent-note riff and Wolf’s tale of greed had already made this tune unforgettable.
3 “You’ll Be Mine” (1961). This is simply one of the most uplifting, exuberant rhythm guitar workouts ever.
4 “Commit a Crime” (1966). This song’s finger busting, bass-string popping riff was manna for Stevie Ray.
5 “Wang Dang Doodle” (1960). Sumlin’s ringing counterpoint to Wolf’s Willie Dixon-penned lines propels this oddball juke joint party number.
6 “Goin’ Down Slow” (1961). Listen to what may be the most imitated turnaround in blues, here in blueprint form.
7 “Sittin’ On Top of the World” (1957). A great example of how a world class riff compliments a strong vocal melody.
8 “Forty Four” (1954). This spidery instrumental hook harks back to the blues’ African roots, providing its own call and response.
9 “Smokestack Lightnin’ ” (1956). Once again, Hubert gets the bends and the results are riveting.
10 “Evil” (1954). The guitars reverse the traditional call and response pattern, setting up Wolf’s vocal with a hard charging lick that builds in energy.
For a celebration of the Wolf's 98th birthday and his incredible legacy, click here.