Howlin Wolf and Sonny Boy Williamson

His voice was loud and course with a growling effect. It was once remarked that when Howlin' whispers, you could hear him a block away. By nature Wolf gave the impression of being a mean and vengeful person taking advantage of his size to intimidate people. For instance, in 1969, there was a professional rivalry between Muddy Waters who was in full command of the Chicago area and the top record seller at the time, and Howlin' Wolf wanted that position. During the 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival, several of the top blues entertainers were invited to perform. Each artist was given an allotted time for their performance. HowIin' was also a favorite with the audience at the time. On the program, Wolf was to precede Muddy Waters who was to close the show. However, Howlin' Wolf had different plans. He deliberately stayed on stage long past his allotted time to prevent Waters from participating in the program. Yet, it was Muddy who helped Wolf get his first big job in Chicago in the early 1950s.

Howlin' Wolf made his first two-sided record while he was working on the plantation picking cotton. Leonard Chess, one of the owners of Chess Records traveled the Delta area listening to the workers singing. When he heard Howlin', he hooked up his portable recorder and Wolf sang, "Saddle My Pony" and "Worried All the Time." As was the case with other artists, each had someone to look up to for guidance. Muddy Waters had 'Son' House, Elmore James was inspired by Robert Johnson and Wolf followed after Charley Patton.