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Hubert Sumlin: 1931-2011
The blues world lost another great over the weekend with the passing of Hubert Sumlin, who died in New Jersey at age 80. Sumlin, who was best known as the guitarist for blues legend Howlin’ Wolf, had a connection to Austin that began with a friendship with late club owner Clifford Antone.
Ralph Barrera 2005 AMERICAN-STATESMAN
He first arrived at Antone’s in 1976, and he and Clifford Antone became fast friends. “Hubert was one of those people that when you left him, you always had a smile on your face,” Susan Antone said Monday.
Over the years, Sumlin played with several Austin-based musicians, including Pinetop Perkins (who moved to Austin in 2003), with whom Sumlin recorded a 1998 collaborative album, “Legends.”
Austin guitarist Derek O’Brien, who also played with Sumlin over the years, remembers when Sumlin first came to Austin. “We were excited to see Hubert, he was almost as much a part of the Wolf sound as Wolf,” O’Brien said. “He had a really big heart and was generous almost to a fault.”
Born in Mississippi in 1931 and raised in Arkansas, Sumlin moved to Chicago at an early age to play with Howlin’ Wolf, making his mark on several recordings including “Wang Dang Doodle” and “Killing Floor.” “He was a wild lead solo player,” O’Brien said. “Everybody that tried to play the blues has been influenced by Hubert Sumlin.”
That “everybody” included Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Page and the Rolling Stones, who invited Sumlin on stage at Madison Square Garden in 2003 and have named Sumlin as an influence.
“He was a very nice guy, a very friendly guy, everybody liked him because he talked to everybody,” said James Cotton, who met Sumlin in Arkansas in 1950 and played in a band with him for a couple years before Sumlin moved to Chicago to play with Howlin’ Wolf. “I think his influence speaks for itself, he played a very big part on the Howlin’ Wolf records, and also some with Muddy Waters. He was very good guitar player, one of the best I’ve ever known.”
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By stan
December 9, 2011 12:00 PM | Link to this
Saw Hubert several times at Antone’s, was always at the top of his game, truly nice guy and will be missed.
The legends are dwindling.
By raybann
December 10, 2011 9:07 AM | Link to this
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have agreed to pay for Huberts funeral cost. This information from staff at KUT AUSTIN / JODY. A noble jester from Mick and the boys. With the passing of Hubert the end of an era and will be greatly missed.