Memories of Chester “Howlin’ Wolf” Burnett and Willie Johnson

This chapter begins by looking at the musical link between Charley Patton and one of his musical protegés, Chester Burnett, the Howlin' Wolf. Of course, Wolf was a product of the Mississippi Delta blues tradition, with personal contact with Patton and a strong Tommy Johnson influence. Wolf recorded Patton's “Pony Blues” as “Saddle My Pony,” and later did a classic version of “Spoonful” more related through vocal style than lyrics. It's easy to hear Patton's growl in Wolf's vocals, and some of Patton's clowning obviously left a strong impression on young Chester. The chapter then focuses on Willie Johnson, which was one of Howlin' Wolf's best-known associates in the South and Chicago, and one of the most electrifying and exciting guitarists of the 1950s.