Legendary Guitarist Hubert Sumlin Passes Away

[Keith]

Hubert Sumlin, the influential blues guitarist who made his name as a sideman for Howlin' Wolf and recently ranked 43rd on Rolling Stone's list of history's top 100 axmen, died Sunday (Dec. 4) of heart failure. He was 80.

Born in Greenwood, Miss., Sumlin backed singer James Cotton in Memphis before relocating to Chicago in 1953. There, he joined forces with Howlin' Wolf, forging a partnership that would last until the legendary bluesman's death in 1976.

Along the way, Sumlin played on such enduring Wolf tracks as 'Smokestack Lightning,' 'Killing Floor' and 'Spoonful.' The latter two cuts were famously covered by Jimi Hendrix and Cream, respectively, two of the many rock acts to draw inspiration from his fiery fretwork.

Jimmy Page was also an avowed fan, as was Stevie Ray Vaughan, who once gave Sumlin a vintage Rickenbacker guitar. According to the New York Times, Keith Richards helped him pay medical bills, which were likely considerable, since he had a lung removed in 2004.

Sumlin continued performing until the end of his life, and last year, he and relative newcomer Kenny Wayne Shepherd earned a Grammy nomination for their 'Live! in Chicago' album. They didn't win, and Sumlin sadly went 0-for-4 at the Grammys in his lifetime.

Despite his lack of gramophone statuettes, Sumlin clearly left his mark. In a thoughtful tribute piece for the Facebook" target="_blank">Chicago Sun-Times, Dave Hoekstra makes the case for his lasting importance.

"The 1953 summit of Mr. Sumlin and Wolf was to blues what the meeting of Scotty Moore and Elvis Presley was to rock just a year later," Hoekstra wrote.

[HoosierDaddy23]

was sad to hear this today, was someone i grew up listening to b.c. of my dad

[Keith]

Originally Posted by HoosierDaddy23

was sad to hear this today, was someone i grew up listening to b.c. of my dad

he was the consummate musician. Not overwhelming in style, he always played the right note. There is a reason that guys like Clapton, the late SRV and Keith Richards, all revered him. He will be missed.

[HoosierDaddy23]

elvis costello also a huge fan

[Randle Pat McMurphy]

losing alot of the greats who most dont even know anything about. Was a different era.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Randle Pat McMurphy

losing alot of the greats who most dont even know anything about. Was a different era.

I hear you RPM. This clip is from the Crossroads Festival in Chicago last year. He was 79. Looking at him jamming with the oxygen tubes hanging on him


Crossroads 2010 .--5 tema Killing Floor-Robert Cray- Jimmie Vaughan & Hubert Sumlin - YouTube

[Randle Pat McMurphy]

Keith, just out of curiosity, were you into the 60's and 70's music at all? Personally believe the 60's was the best decade for music. Lots of great voices and musicians from that era have passed as well.

[vikesfan]

RIP Hubert

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Randle Pat McMurphy

Keith, just out of curiosity, were you into the 60's and 70's music at all? Personally believe the 60's was the best decade for music. Lots of great voices and musicians from that era have passed as well.

RPM--I am a big blues fan (Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Albert King, and so many others). Always appreciated the rock musicians (Clapton, SRV, Page, etc...) that paid homage to the pioneers.

I always liked the 50's guys (Elvis, Dion, Big Joe Turner, etc...) even more than the 60's and 70's guys.

[Randle Pat McMurphy]

Originally Posted by Keith

RPM--I am a big blues fan (Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Albert King, and so many others). Always appreciated the rock musicians (Clapton, SRV, Page, etc...) that paid homage to the pioneers.

I always liked the 50's guys (Elvis, Dion, Big Joe Turner, etc...) even more than the 60's and 70's guys.

I did know of your interest in the blues. Youtube is a great tool for the preservation of the great music of the last century. Can spend hours just going from band to band, musician to musician and tracing their roots and influences.

Had been spending some time recently looking at groups and, in particular, strong voices who were under appreciated during the 50's and 60's. Interesting to see how someone like Steve Marriott with The Small Faces was an influence on Jimi Hendrix among many other interesting links I have found but never knew about.

May I recommend you read the biography on Alan "blind Owl" Wilson of Canned Heat--have provided a link it which is on the tribute website done to preserve his memory. Link: Biography for Alan "Bind Owl" WIlson - www.blindowl.net

Of particular interest--his relationship with Son House and his role in helping Son relearn how to play his music again which led to Son's 1965 album "Father of the Delta Blues." Interested to know if you were aware of Blind Owl's background and career.

You

[barryg]

Keith...Check out new issue of Rolling Stone, which ranks top 100 guitarists of all time...
some amazing oversights...Joe Walsh (whom Hendrix loved) is down at #54 and Dick Dale is all the way down in the #70s.
Jimi, of course, is number 1.

[ZIGGYSTARDUST]

Originally Posted by Randle Pat McMurphy

I did know of your interest in the blues. Youtube is a great tool for the preservation of the great music of the last century. Can spend hours just going from band to band, musician to musician and tracing their roots and influences.

Had been spending some time recently looking at groups and, in particular, strong voices who were under appreciated during the 50's and 60's. Interesting to see how someone like Steve Marriott with The Small Faces was an influence on Jimi Hendrix among many other interesting links I have found but never knew about.

May I recommend you read the biography on Alan "blind Owl" Wilson of Canned Heat--have provided a link it which is on the tribute website done to preserve his memory. Link: Biography for Alan "Bind Owl" WIlson - www.blindowl.net

Of particular interest--his relationship with Son House and his role in helping Son relearn how to play his music again which led to Son's 1965 album "Father of the Delta Blues." Interested to know if you were aware of Blind Owl's background and career.

You

Great local Burgh Blues band that never made it big.. (they should have) Billy Price... Guy could write and play.. IMO..

[Keith]

Originally Posted by barryg

Keith...Check out new issue of Rolling Stone, which ranks top 100 guitarists of all time...
some amazing oversights...Joe Walsh (whom Hendrix loved) is down at #54 and Dick Dale is all the way down in the #70s.
Jimi, of course, is number 1.

I laughed at Keith Richards at # 4, and when I saw SRV at # 12, I immediately thought that the list must be some sort of bad joke.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Randle Pat McMurphy

I did know of your interest in the blues. Youtube is a great tool for the preservation of the great music of the last century. Can spend hours just going from band to band, musician to musician and tracing their roots and influences.

Had been spending some time recently looking at groups and, in particular, strong voices who were under appreciated during the 50's and 60's. Interesting to see how someone like Steve Marriott with The Small Faces was an influence on Jimi Hendrix among many other interesting links I have found but never knew about.

May I recommend you read the biography on Alan "blind Owl" Wilson of Canned Heat--have provided a link it which is on the tribute website done to preserve his memory. Link: Biography for Alan "Bind Owl" WIlson - www.blindowl.net

Of particular interest--his relationship with Son House and his role in helping Son relearn how to play his music again which led to Son's 1965 album "Father of the Delta Blues." Interested to know if you were aware of Blind Owl's background and career.

You

RPM--I am familiar with Alan Wilson. One of the best blues albums I own (and I own A LOT of blues albums) is a double disc set of John Lee Hooker and Canned Heat, called Hooker 'N' Heat. The second disc in particular has Alan trading licks and harp blasts throughout with John Lee Hooker, who at one point says about Alan: "I don't know how he keeps up with me, but he does." It remains one of the top 10-15 blues albums that I have ever heard. Check it out RPM--you most certainly will not be sorry

[Randle Pat McMurphy]

Originally Posted by Keith

RPM--I am familiar with Alan Wilson. One of the best blues albums I own (and I own A LOT of blues albums) is a double disc set of John Lee Hooker and Canned Heat, called Hooker 'N' Heat. The second disc in particular has Alan trading licks and harp blasts throughout with John Lee Hooker, who at one point says about Alan: "I don't know how he keeps up with me, but he does." It remains one of the top 10-15 blues albums that I have ever heard. Check it out RPM--you most certainly will not be sorry

Expected you to know Blind Owl, didnt know if you knew of the part about his relationship with Son House. House also a big influence on Jack White.

Will take you up on your recommendation.