Died On This Date (January 10, 1976) Howlin’ Wolf / Blues Legend
themusicsover Howlin’ Wolf (Born Chester Burnett)
June 10, 1910 – January 10, 1976
With his loud booming voice and raw harmonica skills, Howlin’ Wolf became one of the mid-20th century’s most influential blues men. Wolf’s career began to build during the 1930s when he performed with the likes of Robert Johnson, Son House and Sonny Boy Williamson II. His electrifying versions of such blues standards as “Smokestack Lightning” and “Backdoor Man” were what became embraced by later generations of rock bands like the Rolling Stones and the Doors. Unlike most bluesmen before and since, Wolf did well financially. He got an education, albeit later in life, and learned business skills that benefited him and his career. Wolf suffered a few heart attacks toward the end of his life, and had his kidneys injured during a car accident. On January 10, 1976, 65-year-old Howlin’ Wolf died of complications from kidney disease.
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Butch Baldassari was a respected mandolin player and educator. Over the course of his career, he formed two superb groups, Weary Hearts and the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble with whom he released a handful of albums. He also played in bluegrass perennial favorites, Lonesome Standard Time from time to time. In later years, worked as an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Butch Baldassari was 56 when he died of a brain tumor on January 10, 2009.
