When you have 13.5k songs on your ipod, you run into songs on shuffle you've never heard. Within 20 seconds of hearing this song for the first time, I was convinced one of those guitarists was Keith Richards, so I unlocked the screen and saw it was a Hubert Sumlin recording. Right about the same time I heard Keith's vocals and I was track 10 on Exile, "Happy!" I've been a Stones fan since 5 (1990), and I can pick out Keith's acoustic or electric style nearly instantly. One of my best "Rock 'n' Roll" stories involves Hubert. Keith got me into music, and I followed the rabbit hole down to what inspired him and eventually came across Howlin' Wolf and his guitarist Hubert Sumlin. Hubert is still one of my heroes. When I found out he was going to be playing at a local blues festival, I had to go. Hubert was playing not just beautifully, but with a fire and passion I hadn't heard from him previously. His manager made him take a break, and his set was paused, and a 30 min break ensued. My buddy and I went outside for a smoke, and as social as he was, he started talking to someone and I didn't pay any attention. Five minutes later, my buddy comes up to me and says "follow me," as he trails the lady he is talking with. I said "do you see this f###er" as I indicated a half smoked cigarette, and he said "GET YOUR A## OVER HERE AND FOLLOW ME!" I followed him, as he trailed the lady he was talking to, and I had no idea what was going to happen. We get to a secure room, the lady says that they were short of security guards, and asked would I be willing to provide security. I was wearing not only my fedora hat but a neon safety vest in seconds. I got to watch the rest of his set backstage, from Hubert's right leaving me as a guitarist, in total heaven watching those fingers produce his notes. I hate to sound redundant, but the man was on FIRE that night. He did a version of "Killing Floor Blues" that would have made Hendrix say "Damn!" After the set, I had to make myself a barrier between Hubert, and the crowd wanting his autograph. Half drunk, I think I did a great job! I was rewarded with a photo opportunity with the Great Hubert, and pianist Henry Gray, flanked on both sides of me. One of the greatest moments of my life, but it was about to get better. The manager or someone running the blues fest said "Hey, we are so happy you stepped up and provided security. Hubert is having an after-party, would you like to come? It's 20 miles away." My immediate response was yes.I called up my boss and told him I wouldn't be in on time tomorrow, he asked why, and I explained. His reaction was "Dude, don't even worry about it. Have fun!" There were about 15 of us at the party, all of us between 20's-60's in age. All we did was drink, smoke (cigarettes), and listen to Hubert tell his stories, and boy did he have some great ones to tell. Hubert talked about getting stoned with The Rolling Stones: about how Little Walter purposely crashed his car into Chess Studios (2120 S. Michigan Ave) because he was upset with his royalties on a song; borrowing Eric Clapton's favorite guitar for over a year, and Eric tracking him down like a junkie looking for a fix to get back his guitar he borrowed him. The best story was when during a "Jimi Hendrix Experience" tour, Howlin' Wolf with Hubert Sumlin were going to open for Hendrix. Jimi actually came backstage and in his own shy, and humble way, asked the Wolf if "I was wondering, if you were gonna play 'Killing Floor Blues.'" Howlin' Wolf responded no, and Jimi wanted to know if he would be granted permission to play the song. The Wolf gave his permission. Hubert and the Wolf played their set, and decided to listen to this young musician. After several songs, Jimi Hendrix announced he wanted to play a cover, a song called "Killing Floor." Whilst Jimi was playing, Hubert claimed he heard Wolf say several times in his gravelly voice "Damn!" After about 3 damns, Hubert asked the Wolf about his reactions, and the Wolf reportedly said "that kid plays that song better that we do, and we wrote it!" I spent less than 4 hours with the man, but I do cherish the limited time I was privileged to listen to him live playing and singing some of he most beautiful music ever lived performed, but also the stories shared with myself among others. The ever most humble Hubert was an amazing guitarist, story-teller, and gracious host. He had an honest handshake, and a genuine smile and laugh. He will, and forever will be, one of the kindest men I will ever have known. God Bless you Hubert, and thank you for your music.
Great story, man. Really cool. I was supposed to see Honey Boy in Philadelphia probably 10 or so years ago. I missed the show because my band mate got tickets and by the time he told me, it was sold out. He couldn't make it, but Hubert was in town and filled in. I can't believe I missed it. He came out with an oxygen tank and played an acoustic set solo. I wish I got to see that, man. But again, I dig the story. Thanks for sharing it!
I played with Hubert a couple of times at blues clubs and festivals in New Jersey then after I moved to Woodstock Levon called me to come over and there was Hubert and he instantly remembered me even after years of not seeing him, I was so flattered honored really he was such a truly sweet and humble guy a lot like Pinetop Perkins who I was also fortunate to have also played with once or twice.! These guys were angels and when you consider the world they had to contend with the discrimination they saw and lived with it humbles you as well.!
@Talkin Bout Nawlins me too, between 76 to 80. Southern France festivals. Have a lot of memories, especially that day I was with Willie & Jerry in Willie's room, & he had a call from Chicago, & somebody said that he was the father of a newborn boy. You know, that one whose name is Kenny... that night when Pinetop said to me " hug me boy", oh, the night Brian Bisesi showed up this picture of Queen Victoria Spivey & his scarf snake ... & so much stories. Met Bob in Memphis, 2009, last time I saw one of them, and what a lot of R.I.P. But these days were like hanging out at night with the Olympian gods.
@Talkin Bout Nawlins He told me, but I don't remember, ' cause it was in a conversation about...his grand father who came from tsarist Russia after too much pogrom. (brrr), & when he was working in some jail ( as a cooker?). Then he talked about him playing with Johnny Young, and being picked up by Muddy after a funeral concert ( Johnny Young's?). He came on stage, & never quit ' til the end of that incredible band. So please, recall me the story!
@Talkin Bout Nawlins Wow! He did told me something more common about practice, I think, not such a legendary episode. i would have remembered. That's history, thanks!
No dout when the Wolf came with the whole gang (early 60,s)the review,,they all saw Hubert play when he was really spittin lead,,he was unique at Wolfs demand..and nobody had his sound...stirred them brits up! no dout
Awesome version, Gotta say Keef does a great job on vocals, Hubert always da man ……….
When you have 13.5k songs on your ipod, you run into songs on shuffle you've never heard. Within 20 seconds of hearing this song for the first time, I was convinced one of those guitarists was Keith Richards, so I unlocked the screen and saw it was a Hubert Sumlin recording. Right about the same time I heard Keith's vocals and I was track 10 on Exile, "Happy!" I've been a Stones fan since 5 (1990), and I can pick out Keith's acoustic or electric style nearly instantly.
One of my best "Rock 'n' Roll" stories involves Hubert. Keith got me into music, and I followed the rabbit hole down to what inspired him and eventually came across Howlin' Wolf and his guitarist Hubert Sumlin. Hubert is still one of my heroes. When I found out he was going to be playing at a local blues festival, I had to go. Hubert was playing not just beautifully, but with a fire and passion I hadn't heard from him previously. His manager made him take a break, and his set was paused, and a 30 min break ensued. My buddy and I went outside for a smoke, and as social as he was, he started talking to someone and I didn't pay any attention.
Five minutes later, my buddy comes up to me and says "follow me," as he trails the lady he is talking with. I said "do you see this f###er" as I indicated a half smoked cigarette, and he said "GET YOUR A## OVER HERE AND FOLLOW ME!"
I followed him, as he trailed the lady he was talking to, and I had no idea what was going to happen. We get to a secure room, the lady says that they were short of security guards, and asked would I be willing to provide security. I was wearing not only my fedora hat but a neon safety vest in seconds. I got to watch the rest of his set backstage, from Hubert's right leaving me as a guitarist, in total heaven watching those fingers produce his notes. I hate to sound redundant, but the man was on FIRE that night. He did a version of "Killing Floor Blues" that would have made Hendrix say "Damn!"
After the set, I had to make myself a barrier between Hubert, and the crowd wanting his autograph. Half drunk, I think I did a great job! I was rewarded with a photo opportunity with the Great Hubert, and pianist Henry Gray, flanked on both sides of me. One of the greatest moments of my life, but it was about to get better. The manager or someone running the blues fest said "Hey, we are so happy you stepped up and provided security. Hubert is having an after-party, would you like to come? It's 20 miles away." My immediate response was yes.I called up my boss and told him I wouldn't be in on time tomorrow, he asked why, and I explained. His reaction was "Dude, don't even worry about it. Have fun!"
There were about 15 of us at the party, all of us between 20's-60's in age. All we did was drink, smoke (cigarettes), and listen to Hubert tell his stories, and boy did he have some great ones to tell.
Hubert talked about getting stoned with The Rolling Stones: about how Little Walter purposely crashed his car into Chess Studios (2120 S. Michigan Ave) because he was upset with his royalties on a song; borrowing Eric Clapton's favorite guitar for over a year, and Eric tracking him down like a junkie looking for a fix to get back his guitar he borrowed him.
The best story was when during a "Jimi Hendrix Experience" tour, Howlin' Wolf with Hubert Sumlin were going to open for Hendrix. Jimi actually came backstage and in his own shy, and humble way, asked the Wolf if "I was wondering, if you were gonna play 'Killing Floor Blues.'" Howlin' Wolf responded no, and Jimi wanted to know if he would be granted permission to play the song. The Wolf gave his permission.
Hubert and the Wolf played their set, and decided to listen to this young musician. After several songs, Jimi Hendrix announced he wanted to play a cover, a song called "Killing Floor." Whilst Jimi was playing, Hubert claimed he heard Wolf say several times in his gravelly voice "Damn!" After about 3 damns, Hubert asked the Wolf about his reactions, and the Wolf reportedly said "that kid plays that song better that we do, and we wrote it!"
I spent less than 4 hours with the man, but I do cherish the limited time I was privileged to listen to him live playing and singing some of he most beautiful music ever lived performed, but also the stories shared with myself among others. The ever most humble Hubert was an amazing guitarist, story-teller, and gracious host. He had an honest handshake, and a genuine smile and laugh. He will, and forever will be, one of the kindest men I will ever have known. God Bless you Hubert, and thank you for your music.
Thanks for the story. I was blessed enough to meet Hubert in Como, MS in 2007. He is a forever hero. I will always love him.
Great story, man. Really cool. I was supposed to see Honey Boy in Philadelphia probably 10 or so years ago. I missed the show because my band mate got tickets and by the time he told me, it was sold out. He couldn't make it, but Hubert was in town and filled in. I can't believe I missed it. He came out with an oxygen tank and played an acoustic set solo. I wish I got to see that, man. But again, I dig the story. Thanks for sharing it!
I played with Hubert a couple of times at blues clubs and festivals in New Jersey then after I moved to Woodstock Levon called me to come over and there was Hubert and he instantly remembered me even after years of not seeing him, I was so flattered honored really he was such a truly sweet and humble guy a lot like Pinetop Perkins who I was also fortunate to have also played with once or twice.! These guys were angels and when you consider the world they had to contend with the discrimination they saw and lived with it humbles you as well.!
great story and insight
@Talkin Bout Nawlins Talking Bout Fuzz. Thanks.
@Talkin Bout Nawlins me too, between 76 to 80. Southern France festivals. Have a lot of memories, especially that day I was with Willie & Jerry in Willie's room, & he had a call from Chicago, & somebody said that he was the father of a newborn boy. You know, that one whose name is Kenny... that night when Pinetop said to me " hug me boy", oh, the night Brian Bisesi showed up this picture of Queen Victoria Spivey & his scarf snake ... & so much stories. Met Bob in Memphis, 2009, last time I saw one of them, and what a lot of R.I.P. But these days were like hanging out at night with the Olympian gods.
@Talkin Bout Nawlins He told me, but I don't remember, ' cause it was in a conversation about...his grand father who came from tsarist Russia after too much pogrom. (brrr), & when he was working in some jail ( as a cooker?). Then he talked about him playing with Johnny Young, and being picked up by Muddy after a funeral concert ( Johnny Young's?). He came on stage, & never quit ' til the end of that incredible band. So please, recall me the story!
@Talkin Bout Nawlins Wow! He did told me something more common about practice, I think, not such a legendary episode. i would have remembered. That's history, thanks!
3 A.M. and I can't sleep..so up here dancing in my bare feet. Thanks Hubert....I love you to the moon.
the best Raw Blues Guitarist...Thank you Mr Sumlin. RIP!!!..
The real Keith.
Inspired by one of the greatest.
Soooo gooooooood. I never heard this gem. Hubert Sumlin and Keef! 😊🎸😝
the blues is a feeling all the rest in show. long live keith,rip hubert.
fantastic bluesKeef Keith The King...Hubert RI.P
Great Man, Hubert Sumlin! love!
Brilliant Beautiful Blues:)
Somebody help me in with this blues...
Bonjour Emmanuelle et joyeux Noel
No dout when the Wolf came with the whole gang (early 60,s)the review,,they all saw Hubert play when he was really spittin lead,,he was unique at Wolfs demand..and nobody had his sound...stirred them brits up! no dout
Saw them then live, class show. :-)
I love Albert king I am so glad to see and hear the great late Albert king thank you so much! !
This is so beautifull played thank you for uploading fantastic blues.
I never heard the guy before and I’m shocked how good a singer he is
Isn't that Keef singing?
from Rollin´Stone Muddy Album..Keef on his Muddy Watters cover..
fabulous...+++++
Bad Ass
No comment adequate
One of the meanest blues riffs Ever! Check out the original recording by Muddy in 56, and the bootleg Stones cover in 68
Stones in 1995 here- czcams.com/video/6gTlvVip8p4/video.html
loveyou
7
There's the only one who sings like Keef, that's Keith Richards himself... LOL
Dems who's feels it knows it.
Yes, it's Keith, I think ...
the real deal
He's missed already
What have YOU done fool????????????
:)
......... ?