Legendary blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin asked for his guitar before he died
Hubert Sumlin was an American Chicago blues and electric blues guitarist and singer. He was best known for his celebrated work, from 1955, as guitarist in Howlin’ Wolf’s band. His singular playing was characterized by “wrenched, shattering bursts of notes, sudden cliff-hanger silences and daring rhythmic suspensions”. He was the guitarist whose incendiary, unpredictable playing inspired legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Keith Richards, died Sunday at a hospital in Wayne.
The Totowa resident turned 80 last month, just before he was ranked 43rd on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. Lying on his deathbed, he turned to Toni Ann Mamary, his longtime manager and caretaker, with only one request. “He asked for his guitar.”
Sumlin may not be a household name, but his influence is felt far and wide. His guitar licks half a century ago helped define the Chicago blues sound. Best known as lead guitarist for Howlin’ Wolf, Sumlin played with reckless abandon on songs such as “Wang Dang Doodle,” “Spoonful,” “Back Door Man” and “Little Red Rooster,” which was later recorded by the Rolling Stones. His work helped define electric blues music.
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Legendary blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin asked for his guitar before he died