Blues Legend Hubert Sumlin Dies Aged 80

Howlin Wolf contributor was an electric blues pioneer   05-Dec-11

Blues guitarist, Hubert Sumlin, passed away on Sunday (4th December 2011) in New Jersey, aged 80. Sumlin was best known for his work with Howlin Wolf from the 1950s-1970s.

Sumlin had been in ill-health since 2002 when he was diagnosed with lung cancer, he subsequently had a lung removed (in 2004) and continued to perform shows as a guitarist.

The guitarist's role in the electric blues movement has influenced the likes of Keith Richards, Jimi Hendrix, and Frank Zappa, and his contribution was officially recognised in 2008 when he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.

Sumlin played on a number of iconic blues songs, including 'Wang Dang Doodle', and also had a brief stint as a guitarist for Muddy Waters.

As a guitarist, Sumlin was dynamic and played finger style with incredible expression, you can see a video of the guitarist hosting an online lesson for the blues classic 'Smokestack Lightning' below.

Rich Beech
@sonicamped