Hubert Sumlin, one of the last of the original Mississippi bluesmen, has died in New Jersey at the age of 80.
Hubert Sumlin and Pinetop Perkins SXSW 2007 - Photo By Ros O'Gorman
Sumlin was the guitarist for Howlin’ Wolf from 1953 to 1976. He played on Wolf’s classic ‘Spoonful’, ‘Ain’t Superstitious’ and ‘Smokestack Lightning’ and during both Wolf’s Sun Records and Chess Records eras. His lead guitar on Howlin’ Wolf’s ‘Killing Floor’ inspired Jimi Hendrix to cover the song.
In 2010, Kenny Wayne Shepherd enticed Sumlin to play at one of his concerts. The performance can be heard on Shepherd’s ‘Live In Chicago’ album.
Hubert Sumlin passed away on December 4, 2011 in hospital at Wayne, New Jersey. The cause of death was listed as heart failure.
