Died On This Date (December 4, 2011) Hubert Sumlin / Chicago Blues Legend
themusicsover Hubert Sumlin
November 16, 1931 – December 4, 2011
Hubert Sumlin was a Chicago Blues electric guitarist and singer who is most often remembered for his time playing with Howlin’ Wolf during the 1960s. Decades later, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at #43 on their list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time. Raised in Arkansas, Sumlin was just six when he began playing to guitar, and he was still just a youngster when he first met Wolf after sneaking into one of his shows. Years later, Wolf, who had by then settled in Chicago, invited Sumlin to move up and join him in his band. By 1955, Sumlin was the lead guitarist of the group, and would stay as such for the rest of Wolf’s career. Sumlin can be heard on Wolf’s landmark album, Howlin’ Wolf, which is considered one of the greatest blues albums of all times. He also played with Muddy Waters for a brief time. Sumlin released several of his own albums between 1964 and 2004 when he had to give up recording after having one of his lungs removed. He did, however, continue to perform up into his final years. In 2008, Sumlin was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, and over the years he received four Grammy nominations. Hubert Sumlin died of heart failure on December 4, 2011. He was 80.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.
What You Should Own
Lee “Shot” Williams was a Mississippi born blues singer who made a name for himself after landing in Chicago in 1956. In 1960, he joined his cousin 
Coco Robicheaux was a popular New Orleans blues musician who built a loyal following for his Tom Waits-like gravelly voice, swampy guitar, and mystical subject matter. A familiar face throughout the clubs that lined the streets of Crescent City, Robicheaux entertained both on and off the stage thanks to his colorful personality. He often held court outside nightclubs for tourists and locals alike when he wasn’t performing. Beloved by New Orleans music and blues fans around the world, Robicheaux was a popular draw at festivals far and wide – particularly the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the French Quarter Festival. Over the years, he released several albums and appeared on recordings by the likes of Dr. John. In 2010, he made a memorable appearance on HBO’s Treme, where he sacrificed a “live” chicken over the air of a local radio station. He also played a musician on USA’s Big Easy series. On November 25, 2011, Coco Robicheaux collapsed while in hanging out at a New Oleans club. He died after being taken to a hospital. Cause of death was not immediately released. He was 64.
Doyle Bramhall was a much respected Texas singer-songwriter and drummer who was a fixture of the Austin music scene since the 1970s. Bramhall was still in high school when he joined fellow Texan, Jimmy Vaughan in the Chessmen, whose biggest claim to fame was opening for 
Earl Gilliam was a pianist who, for over 60 years was a key figure of the Houston blues scene. A gifted self-taught pianist, it has been said that Gilliam could listen to a song two or three times and recreate it virtually note by note. Over the years, Gilliam played with such luminaries as 