Hubert Sumlin Dead at 80
Blues guitarist collaborated with Howlin' Wolf, influenced Jimi Hendrix and Keith Richards
Hubert Sumlin, the longtime collaborator with Howlin' Wolf whose playing on such songs as
Killin' Floor,
Wang Dang Doodle,
Spoonful and
Backdoor Man influenced generations of guitarists died Sunday in New Jersey. He was 80 years old.
Sumlin was ranked number 43 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2008 and was a mainstay of the Chicago blues scene. Sumlin influenced Keith Richards, Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa, among others.
Hubert was born in Mississippi, raised in Arkansas and moved to Chicago to play with Howlin' Wolf. After Wolf's death in 1976, Sumlin continued to play with the rest of Wolf's band under the name The Wolf Gang.
He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2002 and had a lung removed. In recent years Sumlin continued to perform when his health permitted.
=
Part credit:
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hubert-sumlin-dead-at-80-20111204
