One of the most important blues artists of all time was Chester Arthur Burnett, better known by his stage name Howlin’ Wolf. He introduced the Mississippi Delta’s music to Chicago in 1952, making him a great blues exemplar.
Chester Burnett grew up on the Young and Morrow Cotton Plantation close to Ruleville. Howlin’ Wolf was born on June 10th, 1910 in White Station, Mississippi, just north of West Point. His grandfather would narrate tales of the local wolves to him and his siblings.
Chester was a young boy when something startled him and he rushed roaring upstairs; as a result, his family dubbed him the Howlin’ Wolf.
In addition to withholding unemployment benefits and even Social Security, Wolf paid his employees a reasonable wage on time. He also provided them with health insurance advantages.
In his private life, he did not live a lavish lifestyle. On the south side of Chicago, Burnett, his wife Lillie, and her two daughters resided in a humble but cozy home. He didn’t drive fancy cars or wear a lot of jewelry, and he preferred a Pontiac station wagon over the Cadillacs used by his peers.
He was a member of the neighborhood fire crew, owned acreage in Arkansas, and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
What was Howlin’ Wolf’s net worth at the time of death?
He was worth $8 million until his death.
