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| Blues
Legend, Lil' Howlin' Wolf has been playing and singing the blues for
over 51 years. He was born Jessie Sanders, on June 26th, 1930 in
Florence, Mississippi. From his earliest days as a kid growing up in the
heart of the Delta, young Jessie was always around music. Living in the
Mississippi Delta among the greatest blues and gospel singers alive,
taught him to love music...especially THE BLUES. As a teenager, in the
1940's Jessie's family moved up North to Chicago to try to make a decent
living. It was on Chicago's West side that Jessie Sanders became "Lil' Howlin' Wolf". |
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| Howlin'
Wolf (Chester Burnett) with Lil' Howlin' Wolf (Jessie Sanders) 1960 - Sylvio's Lounge - Chicago, IL |
| In the late 1950's Jessie met up with possibly the biggest Blues Legend of all time...the mighty Howlin' Wolf (a.k.a. Chester Burnett). The Wolf was respected, admired, and feared by all of Chicago's bluesmen. Howlin' Wolf took young Jessie Sanders under his wing, he taught him his trademark howl, along with some guitar lessons from none other than the great Hubert Sumlin...and the rest is history. The Wolf used to call him "Taildragger". He taught Jessie Sanders to be a blues showman and to howl like no one else could. "Taildragger" was trained to be a true legend, by the greatest bluesman there ever was. |
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| Lil'
Howlin' Wolf with Hubert Sumlin October 23, 1998 - Beale Street - Memphis, TN |
| In the 1970's Howlin' Wolf's health took a turn for the worse, he knew that his time was coming, in his last years he prepared "Lil' Howlin' Wolf" to take over his band and keep his music alive. Before his death in 1976 he told Jessie that he was his son and to never stop HOWLIN', and he hasn't yet. As a tribute to his mentor, Jessie Sanders has been called "Lil' Howlin' Wolf" ever since. |
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| Lil'
Wolf Sings THE BLUES 1976 - Blues Factory Productions |
| Lil' Wolf recorded his first album in 1976 which was produced by Willie Dixon, and featured a young Billy Branch on Harp, along with Freddie Dixon on Bass, Lafayette Leake on Piano, Clifton James on Drums, and Dennis Miller, Buster Benton, and Johnnie B. on guitars. Unfortunately only a few LP copies of this classic session are still around only a few hundred were ever pressed. The LP was originally recorded at Blues Factory Productions at 711 South Racine Ave. in Chicago. Wolf still has the master tapes, so maybe one day this long-lost classic blues album will be finally released. |
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| Lil'
Howlin Wolf with B.B. King April 6 1985 - Merriville, IN |
Lil'
Howlin Wolf with Bobby "Blue" Bland April 6 1985 - Merriville, IN |
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| Lil'
Howlin' Wolf with Koko Taylor Feburary 2000 - Tunica, MS |
Lil'
Howlin' Wolf waves to the crowd Chicago Blues Festival - June 10, 2000 |
| The Wolf has
shared the stage with all of the greatest bluesmen, including: B.B.King,
Bobby "Blue" Bland, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy,
Junior Wells...and the list goes on. Lil' Howlin' Wolf has performed all
over the world, and for three U.S. Presidents in the White House. In
addition to his music career, Lil' Howlin' Wolf retired with both the
Chicago Police Department and The Chicago Fire Department, after a 47
year career. He also found time to run his own Charter Bus company for
many years. Even in semi-retirement, he still works harder than most men
half his age. But he will be the first to tell you, "I gotta HOWL
for my money!" "Don't have no fear, cause THE WOLF is here." |
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| Lil'
Howlin' Wolf Chicago Blues Festival - June 10, 2000 |
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living with his Wife Diane in Memphis, TN, Lil' Howlin' Wolf continues
to perform today, at age 71, he is still thrilling crowds with his
singing, dancing, and all-around showmanship. The Wolf is alive and
well, and still one of the most dynamic performers in show business
today. He is one of the last of the REAL bluesmen, the kind they don't
make anymore. Like The Wolf says...."when I'm gone...there ain't no more left..." "SHO' YA' RIGHT!"
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