Chester Arthur Burnett, widely known as Howlin' Wolf, was born on June 10, 1910, in White Station, Mississippi. He emerged as a pivotal figure in the transformation of acoustic Delta blues into electric Chicago blues. Growing up in poverty on a cotton plantation, Burnett was deeply influenced by the traditional music of the Mississippi Delta. He became a protégé of Charley Patton, a leading Delta blues musician, and performed with other notable artists such as Son House and Robert Johnson.

In the 1940s, after serving in the Army, Burnett formed a band in Arkansas that included future blues legends James Cotton and Little Junior Parker. His powerful voice and commanding stage presence became his trademarks. In 1951, his first record, "Moanin' at Midnight," was released, leading to a contract with Chess Records in Chicago. This move was instrumental in establishing Chicago as a hub for electric blues.

Howlin' Wolf's career spanned over four decades, during which he recorded several influential albums and singles. His notable songs include "Smokestack Lightnin'," "Killing Floor," and "Spoonful." His music gained wider recognition during the blues revival of the 1960s, particularly after British rock bands like the Rolling Stones cited him as a major influence.

Despite his success, Burnett faced personal challenges, including a strained relationship with his mother, who disapproved of his music. He was known for his dedication to his craft and his role in bridging Delta blues with Chicago's electric style. Howlin' Wolf continued to perform until shortly before his death on January 10, 1976, in Hines, Illinois. He was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential blues musicians in history.