Hubert Sumlin: 1931-2011

Yesterday renowned electric blues guitarist and singer Hubert Sumlin, most famous for his role as the guitarist in Howlin’ Wolf’s band, died of heart failure while hospitalized in Wayne, N.J. He was 80.

Well-known for his role in Chicago blues, Sumlin performed with Howlin’ Wolf from 1955 until the singer’s death in 1976, after which he continued performing with the late blues legend’s band under the moniker The Wolf Pack and released a string of solo albums to varying degrees of success.

His playing style, characterized by sudden bursts of noise, start-stop patterns and use of sustain, was achieved without the use of a traditional guitar pick and was a formative influence on the style of The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards. His frequent use of abrasive, shattering noise also inspired rock icons like Jimi Hendrix to experiment with guitar tone.

Sumlin contracted lung cancer in 2002 and had to have one of his lungs removed as a result. Though he would perform live from time to time throughout the remainder of the decade and continue to collaborate with younger musicians, his health was on the decline, leading to his hospitalization earlier this year.

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