Throwback: Happy 116th Birthday, Howlin’ Wolf!

We’ve made it halfway through 2026 y’all. And for my friends, readers and dearest ones in the LGQBTIA+ community: Happy Pride!

June is a busy month for birthdays. 

• Alanis Morisette celebrated her 52nd birthday on June 1
• The Smiths‘ Mike Joyce celebrated his 63rd birthday on June 1
• Brandi Carlile celebrated her 45th birthday on June 1
• Cypress Hill’s and Prophets of Rage’s B Real celebrated his 56th birthday on June 2
• The Rolling Stones‘ Charlie Watts was born 85 years ago.on June 2
• One of the greatest singer/songwriters to ever live, Curtis Mayfield was born 84 years ago on June 3
• Al B. Sure! celebrated his 58th birthday on June 4
• The Psychedelic Furs and Love Spit Love frontman Richard Butler celebrated his 70th birthday on June 5
• The legendary Prince was born 68 years ago on June 7
• Duran Duran‘s Nick Rhodes celebrated his 64th birthday on June 8
• “Mr. Excitement,” the great Jackie Wilson was born 92 years ago on June 9
• Faith Evans celebrates her 53rd birthday today

Howlin’ Wolf, one of the greatest bluesmen to have done it was born on this day 116 years ago. Songs like “Smokestack Lightnin,’” “Killing Floor” and “Spoonful” have long been blues rock standards — and his work has heavily influenced the likes of Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts and countless others.

Back in 1971, Howlin’ Wolf went into London to record material with a super group of rock ‘n’ roll’s legend day second wave of musicians. The band included Clapton, Wyman, Watts and Winwood. There’s a bit of recorded dialogue in the session in which the blues legend has to slowly explain the song and chord structure to Clapton, because he just couldn’t quite follow. Take that, you goddamn twat! 

But more important, happy birthday to a legend! Happy birthday, wherever you are!

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