- Hardcover: 416 pages
- Publisher: Pantheon Books (Jun 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0375422463
- ISBN-13: 978-0375422461
- Product Dimensions: 24.5 x 16.2 x 3.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,140,001 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Howlin’ Wolf was a musical giant in every way. He stood six foot three, weighed almost three hundred pounds, wore size sixteen shoes, and poured out his darkest sorrows onstage in a voice like a raging chainsaw. Half a century after his first hits, his sound still terrifies and inspires.
Born Chester Burnett in 1910, the Wolf survived a grim childhood and hardscrabble youth as a sharecropper in Mississippi. He began his career playing and singing with the first Delta blues stars for two decades in perilous juke joints. He was present at the birth of rock ’n’ roll in Memphis, where Sam Phillips–who also discovered Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis–called Wolf his “greatest discovery.” He helped develop the sound of electric blues and vied with rival Muddy Waters for the title of king of Chicago blues. He ended his career performing and recording with the world’s most famous rock stars. His passion for music kept him performing–despite devastating physical problems–right up to his death in 1976.
There’s never been a comprehensive biography of the Wolf until now. Moanin’ at Midnight is full of startling information about his mysterious early years, surprising and entertaining stories about his decades at the top, and never-before-seen photographs. It strips away all the myths to reveal–at long last–the real-life triumphs and tragedies of this blues titan.
Born Chester Burnett in 1910, the Wolf survived a grim childhood and hardscrabble youth as a sharecropper in Mississippi. He began his career playing and singing with the first Delta blues stars for two decades in perilous juke joints. He was present at the birth of rock ’n’ roll in Memphis, where Sam Phillips–who also discovered Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis–called Wolf his “greatest discovery.” He helped develop the sound of electric blues and vied with rival Muddy Waters for the title of king of Chicago blues. He ended his career performing and recording with the world’s most famous rock stars. His passion for music kept him performing–despite devastating physical problems–right up to his death in 1976.
There’s never been a comprehensive biography of the Wolf until now. Moanin’ at Midnight is full of startling information about his mysterious early years, surprising and entertaining stories about his decades at the top, and never-before-seen photographs. It strips away all the myths to reveal–at long last–the real-life triumphs and tragedies of this blues titan.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Without a doubt this is the finest biography ever written about a blues legend. It crackles with life and I enjoyed and savoured every moment.
The story of Wolf's early years and what he went through growing up in Mississippi was sad and deeply moving and gives a sensitive insight into the true character of the man. The way his mother continues to reject him because she believes the blues is 'the Devil's music' is a tragedy made all the more poignant by the way it effects Wolf as a grown man as he attempts a reconciliation. His whole life in fact reads not unlike a Faulkner novel and is just as riveting.
The many anecdotes from musicians and associates create a vivid picture of the Chicago blues scene of the fifties and sixties. It's a fascinating tale lovingly told and beautifully crafted and had me doubled up on the floor with laughter on more than one occasion. I also valued the details of Wolf's recording sessions which added a whole new insight into tracks I've loved and returned to time and again over the past forty years.
Even if you're not a blues fan this book is a fascinating read. And if you like blues and especially if you've ever dug a Wolf track then you'd better get a copy...and fast! Believe me, you won't be disappointed.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book sets a new standard for music biographies, the authors have really done their research. Not only that, Chester almost jumps off the pages so well do they reveal a complex and private man. Descriptions of live performances and studio sessions are finely detailed, due to the numerous interviews the authors conducted with sidemen, producers, fans and family members. Good thing these writers started work on the book many years ago; a number of the interviewees have since died, making this the final word on working/living with the Wolf. Outstanding.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I tend to find biographies polarise either towards pointless extrapolated guesses by authors, or are very thoroughly researched. This book falls into the latter category, and has footnotes like a doctoral thesis
This doesn't get in the way of the story of the man, though. If you're interested in Howlin Wolf, there's no option: buy this book and read it (PS: the hardback version I received looks great)
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A very good book indeed.
I don't feel I need to add much to the above reviews; this is one of the finest biographies you can read and it really does do the mighty Wolf justice. Read more
Published 19 months ago by J. MILLER
Legend biography
An excellant read. Gives a fascinating incite into the life of this legendary blues singer from his childhood to his demise. Read more
Published 21 months ago by treddie
Brilliant book detailing this legend of a man
What I want to know is why dont they turn this into a film ?? Howlin Wolf was an awesome talent & this book reflects this & his amazing life on every page. Read more
Published on 18 Dec 2009 by Johannah
Very well written biography.
I fully agree with the other reviews.
As a youth in the 60's I listened to a lot of the old blues men, but over the years I moved away musically. Read more
As a youth in the 60's I listened to a lot of the old blues men, but over the years I moved away musically. Read more
Published on 30 April 2009 by Bookworm
Great Book On a Great Man!
Seeing this book was one of the reasons I set about the task of writing Revelation Blind Willie Johnson The Biography in an attempt to emulate this great tribute to a great man,... Read more
Published on 27 April 2008 by Willie Johnson
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
