Historical Marker

Hubert Sumlin

Marker provided by: Mississippi Blues Commission.

Hubert Sumlin’s sizzling guitar playing energized many of the classic Chicago blues records of Howlin’ Wolf in the 1950s and‘60s. His reputation in blues and rock circles propelled him to a celebrated career on his own after Wolf’s death in 1976. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine christened him one of “The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.” Sumlin was born on the Pillow plantation in a house that stood just west of this site on November 16, 1931.

Hubert Sumlin grew up in Mississippi and Arkansas hearing his churchgoing mother admonish him for playing “the devil’s music”—the blues. But he found out, after sneaking in some blues licks on his guitar in church, that the sounds of the blues could win over even his mother. Sumlin’s innovative musicianship and endearing nature won the hearts of many musicians and admirers in the decades to follow. His boyhood partner, harmonica legend James Cotton, remained a lifelong friend. From 1954 to 1976 Howlin’ Wolf was as much a father figure to Sumlin as he was his musical employer. In later years Sumlin was adopted by a wide range of musicians, club owners, promoters, and producers who crafted a niche for him as a special guest or featured soloist.

Sumlin started playing guitar in church, but was performing blues with James Cotton by the time the two were in their teens, after the Sumlin family had moved from Greenwood to Hughes, Arkansas. Hubert was awestruck at seeing Howlin’ Wolf rock the house at a local juke joint, and when Wolf later offered him a spot in his band in Chicago, Sumlin bade farewell to Cotton and to his family in Arkansas. Sumlin’s years with Wolf were highlighted by groundbreaking recordings such as “Killing Floor,” “300 Pounds of Joy,” “Smokestack Lightning,” and “Shake For Me” for the Chess label in Chicago. Wolf, a stern disciplinarian, fired his protégé on numerous occasions, only to rehire him every time. At one time Hubert even joined the band of Wolf’s main rival, Muddy Waters. He also played guitar on records by Muddy, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Reed, Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller), Eddie Taylor, Sunnyland Slim, Carey Bell, Eddie Shaw, James Cotton, and many others.

When Sumlin and Wolf toured Europe on the 1964 American Folk Blues Festival, Hubert made his first recordings under his own name in Germany and England. His only 45 rpm single came from an acoustic blues session which also marked the first release on the historic Blue Horizon label in England. In later years he recorded albums for labels in France, Germany, Argentina, and the United States. Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan are two of the many guitarists who have named Sumlin as a favorite. He shared stages with Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, Santana, Aerosmith, and many others. On the award-winning album About Them Shoes Hubert was joined by Clapton, Keith Richards, Levon Helm, and James Cotton. On May 7, 2008, the day after the unveiling of this marker, Sumlin was inducted into the Blues Foundation’s Blues Hall of Fame

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.

Blues Trail
Mississippi played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Many of the most important events of the movement, including the Freedom Rides and the March Against Fear, took place in Mississippi.
Mississippi random facts
Leflore County, Mississippi, has a rich history that is deeply rooted in the Native American presence and the establishment of European settlements. The area was initially inhabited by the Chickasaw tribe, who thrived on the fertile land and abundant natural resources. European explorers first arrived in the 16th century and Leflore County became part of the Spanish Empire in the early 18th century. However, after the American Revolution, it passed into the hands of the United States as part of the Mississippi Territory.

In the early 19th century, Leflore County experienced an influx of settlers, including many planters who brought enslaved Africans to work in the region's burgeoning cotton industry. With its favorable climate and rich soil, cotton became the dominant crop, shaping the county's economy and society for decades to come. As more settlers moved in, the county was officially established in 1871 and named after a Choctaw chief.

During the Civil War, Leflore County saw significant military action, as it was located alongside the Mississippi River and served as a strategic point for both Confederate and Union forces. The county suffered greatly during this time, with widespread destruction and loss of life. Once the war ended, the county gradually rebuilt its devastated economy, relying once again on cotton as the main crop.

In the 20th century, Leflore County faced the challenges of racial segregation and economic disparities that characterized much of the American South. The Civil Rights Movement brought significant change, with the county playing a role in the struggle for equal rights. Today, Leflore County is a diverse community that honors its heritage while also striving for progress and prosperity.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Leflore County, Mississippi.

  • 1825 - Leflore County is established as a county in the state of Mississippi.
  • 1830 - European settlers begin to migrate to the region.
  • 1836 - The Choctaw Indians cede their remaining lands in the area to the U.S. government.
  • 1841 - Leflore County becomes a major producer of cotton due to its fertile soil.
  • 1855 - The county's population increases significantly as more settlers move to the area.
  • 1861-1865 - Leflore County, like the rest of Mississippi, is greatly affected by the American Civil War.
  • Late 1800s - The county experiences a boom in timber and sawmill industries.
  • Early 1900s - Leflore County becomes a center for agriculture and is known for its cotton, soybeans, and catfish production.
  • 1940s-1960s - The Civil Rights Movement brings significant changes to Leflore County.
  • 1987 - The Mississippi Delta Community College is established in Leflore County.
  • Present - Leflore County continues to be an agricultural and educational hub in Mississippi.