Blues Guitarist Hubert Sumlin Passed Away

**mandopops** · Dec-06-2011, 10:56pm

Howlin' Wolf's long time Guitarist, Hubert Sumlin, died Sunday at the age of 80. I saw him w/ Wolf many times. Also, many times since Wolf's passing. Last time I talked w/ Hubert was at the showing of the film about Wolf's life at the Siskel Ctr in Chicago.

Hubert was just an easy guy to approach. He was friendly, modest, & a gentleman.He was a hero to many of the white Blues Guitarists such as Clapton, Beck, Bloomfield etc.
His style of playing was eccentric, jagged, unpredictable, and it gave the Howlin' Wolf Band it's signature sound.

Wolf's music & performances made a major impression on me as a youth, & Hubert was part of that. I still listen to Wolf & Hubert today.

This year Pinetop, Honeyboy Edwards, & now Hubert all passed. These guys were all around when I 1st started getting into the Blues scene in Chicago. It's end of an era for me.

No Mandolin Content.

**taboot** · Dec-07-2011, 3:09pm

I had the pleasure of seeing Hubert three times over the last seven years or so. The last time was as part of a blues guitar revue tour put together by Kenny Wayne Shepard (we were there for Hubert.) The hightlight of the show for me was when Hubert and Kenny Wayne traded eights and fours - KW started it off and played about a million forgettable notes, to which Hubert's guitar answered "dwooooop-a-deeee-dowt." It was so perfectly placed, phrased and conceived, KW actually did a double take, and the audience (primarily KW bluesrock types) cheered pretty dramatically. I give KW credit for knowing where his music comes from, and bringing it's practitioners out on the road with him. Sorry to see Hubert go, glad I got a little taste of the real thing.

Christian

**MandoSquirrel** · Dec-07-2011, 9:21pm

An idol of my youth through dotage, as well. Sad to see him go.

**pglasse** · Dec-07-2011, 10:15pm

I enjoyed seeing Hubert Sumlin play many times at Austin's legendary Antone's club (Guadalupe location). He always had that great phrasing and feel. Though I never spoke to him, he always appeared to be a pretty happy guy who enjoyed playing music with others and fit well in a variety of situations. Sorry to hear of his passing. He gave us a great gift.

**wayfaring stranger 22** · Dec-07-2011, 11:00pm

i heard he was going to play at antones back in july i wanted to go so bad but i couldn't get away, RIP mr. sumlin

**journeybear** · Dec-08-2011, 7:36am

I was glad and a little surprised that he was included in Rolling Stone's recently published list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time, heavily discussed last month. I had not seen his name in quite some time, and this list was not weighted toward blues players. Glad to see him get his due. he was ranked #43, by the way, above Muddy Waters and Otis Rush. Not too shabby.

**Ed Goist** · Dec-08-2011, 9:30pm

Mick Jagger And Keith Richards To Pay For Hubert Sumlin Funeral

Very classy...and very fitting.

**alb** · Dec-09-2011, 7:42pm

We are the old timers now...but we can't hold a candle to those who came before us.

All I remember is watching Pinetop's fingers at a north side Chicago club in about 1968. I never have seen bigger fingers before or since. Logs rolling over the ivories. A most amazing experience. There may have been better players before or since, but there was no one like him.