Howlin' Wolf
One of the giants of post-World War II Chicago blues, Chester Arthur Burnett, aka “Howlin’ Wolf,” was born in White Station, just north of West Point, on June 10, 1910. In his early teens Burnett began performing in the Delta and was later a pioneer in electrifying the Delta blues. After moving north, Burnett nonetheless remained a strong presence on the Mississippi blues scene by returning home often for visits and performances.
An imposing figure both physically and artistically, Chester Arthur Burnett was named after U.S. President Chester Arthur. Burnett’s grandfather gave him the nickname “Wolf.” He learned to play a one-string “diddley bow” and harmonica as a child, but his early life was difficult. Cast out by his mother, Burnett lived in White Station with his great uncle until he ran away from home at 13 and hitched a train to the Delta.
On the Young and Morrow plantation near Ruleville he had a warm reunion with his father, who bought him his first guitar in 1928. Burnett soon fell under the wing of blues pioneer Charley Patton, who taught him showmanship and songs that Burnett would later record, including “Pony Blues.” Burnett developed a distinctive style, highlighted by his naturally raspy voice and howling, a technique he developed by trying to imitate Jimmie Rodgers’s signature yodels. As “Howlin’ Wolf” he performed in the region with bluesmen including Johnny Shines, Floyd Jones, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and Robert Johnson. Every spring he returned from his wide travels to plow his father‘s farmland.
After serving in the Army (1941-43), “Wolf” took up farming, and in 1948 moved to West Memphis, Arkansas, where he formed an electric blues band and hosted a radio show on KWEM. Wolf’s music caught the attention of Memphis producer Sam Phillips, who famously recalled: “When I heard Howlin’ Wolf, I said, ‘This is for me. This is where the soul of man never dies.'” Phillips first recorded Wolf in 1951 for the RPM and Chess labels. In 1953 Wolf moved to Chicago, where he continued to record for Chess, waxing classics such as “Spoonful,” “Killing Floor,” “Back Door Man,” “I Ain’t Superstitious,” and “Howlin’ For My Darling” with protégé Hubert Sumlin on guitar.
Wolf’s music reached new audiences in the 1960s, when his songs were covered by artists including Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Cream, and the Doors. His own 1956 recording “Smokestack Lightnin’” even became a hit on the pop music charts in England in 1964.
Wolf’s music remained popular down South long after he moved to Chicago. He frequently returned to this area to visit friends, hunt and fish, and performed at local venues such as Ferdinand Sykes’s place on Cottrell Street in West Point, Roxy’s juke joint in White Station, and the Chicken Shack in Union Star. He died on January 10, 1976, in Hines, Illinois. West Point established a festival in his honor in 1996 and a museum in 2005
The Mississippi Blues Trail markers tell stories through words and images of bluesmen and women and how the places where they lived and the times in which they existed–and continue to exist–influenced their music. The sites run the gamut from city streets to cotton fields, train depots to cemeteries, and clubs to churches. We have a lot to share, and it’s just down the Mississippi Blues Trail.
The Mississippi Blues Trail is an ongoing project of the Mississippi Blues Commission. Funding for this project has been made possible by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, AT&T, and the Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University plus additional support from the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division.
For more information visit msbluestrail.org.
The Mississippi Delta region, which is located in the northwest part of the state, is known for its rich soil and has been an important agricultural area for centuries.
The county was officially formed in 1871 and named after Henry Clay, the famous American statesman. The early economy of Clay County was centered around agriculture, with cotton becoming the main cash crop. The fertile soil and favorable climate allowed for successful cotton production, leading to the rapid growth of the county. Many large plantations were established, and enslaved Africans played a crucial role in their operation until the abolition of slavery.
During the Civil War, Clay County, like much of the South, experienced significant upheaval. The county saw military action and skirmishes, with both Union and Confederate forces vying for control over its resources. Following the end of the war, the Reconstruction period brought challenges and changes to Clay County, as it did for the rest of the South. Economic recovery was slow, and tensions between different racial and political factions remained high.
In the 20th century, Clay County transitioned from an agricultural economy to a more diverse economic base. The growth of industries such as manufacturing and services brought new opportunities and development to the county. Today, Clay County is known for its strong sense of community, cultural heritage, and natural beauty. The county continues to thrive with a mixture of agricultural, industrial, and commercial activities, while preserving its historical landmarks and traditions.
Clay County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Clay County, Mississippi.
- 1824 - Clay County is established and named after Henry Clay, an influential politician.
- 1844 - The town of West Point, the county seat, is laid out.
- 1850 - The population of Clay County reaches 4,991.
- 1861-1865 - Clay County residents participate in the American Civil War, with many serving in the Confederate Army.
- 1868 - Railroads are introduced to Clay County, boosting economic development.
- 1870s - The railroad helps West Point become a leading cotton market in the region.
- 1901 - Visit from President Theodore Roosevelt helps promote the industrial growth of West Point.
- 1970s - Clay County experiences a decline in population due to the mechanization of agriculture.
- 1997 - Yokohama Tire Corporation establishes a manufacturing plant in West Point, bringing jobs and economic stability to the area.