The debut LP that defined Howlin’ Wolf’s Chicago blues style, featuring 12 tracks including 'Smokestack Lightnin'' and 'Evil'. Original US Chess pressing highly sought after.
Artist page · 04/07/2026
Howlin’ Wolf
About
Howlin’ Wolf, Chester Burnett’s raw Chicago blues, a voice and howl from Mississippi.
14 vinyl titles in blues and jazz/blues; original 'Moanin’ In The Moonlight' LP fetches up to €783.
Howlin’ Wolf shaped the Chicago blues sound with a gritty vocal style and commanding stage presence. Originating from White Station, Mississippi, he forged a path in electric blues from the 1940s through the 1970s. His recorded output includes studio albums, live sessions, and compilations capturing the evolution of blues music. Key works often appear on vinyl as LPs and audiophile pressings, prized for their authentic sound and historic value.
His discography includes 14 vinyl releases available on Vinyles.com, such as rare original Chess label LPs from 1959 and 1973, and live albums documenting his powerful performances. His music consistently charts as influential in blues culture, evidenced by enduring top track plays and frequent collector interest.
Discography
Howlin’ Wolf — Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
MasterTone · 1996
Fan Club · 1991
Chess · 1974
Chess · 1973
Chess · 1972
Chess · 1971
Chess · 1971
Cadet Concept · 1969
Checker · 1967
Chess · 1966
Argo · 1963
Chess · 1962
Chess · 1959Playlist
Signature tracks
The tracks that sum up Howlin’ Wolf's career.



The essentials
The 3 Howlin’ Wolf albums you absolutely need
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
A 1973 studio album presenting powerful Chicago blues cuts over 10 tracks, including 'Moving' and 'The Back Door Wolf'. Well documented original Chess pressings available.
Live album capturing Howlin’ Wolf’s vibrant onstage energy with extended blues jams and crowd interaction in stereo sound.
Go further
Artists similar to Howlin’ Wolf
Artists who share part of Howlin’ Wolf's musical DNA.
Collectors
For vinyl die-hards
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
Market values (source: Discogs)
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Notable pressings & editions
The “Why this rarity” column comes from our upstream sourcing work: for each album, we explain what makes this pressing sought after by collectors (limited run, specific matrix, withdrawn edition…).
Face B
Side B: the hidden stories of Howlin’ Wolf
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
I wanted to sound like the wolf, the real wild animal that howls at night.— Chester Burnett (Howlin’ Wolf)
Original 1959 US pressing of 'Moanin' In The Moonlight'
The original Chess label LP from 1959 (catno LP 1434) has a high demand-to-supply ratio of approximately 5.1 to 1, reflecting strong collector interest at prices up to €783 per copy.
'The Back Door Wolf' Netherlands pressing
The 1973 Netherlands stereo pressing on Chess (catno 9283 008) is an original release with a current lowest price around €15 and multiple copies available for collectors.
'Live In Cambridge, MA., 1966' French LP pressing
The 1991 release of a 1966 Howlin’ Wolf live performance captured in France on Fan Club label (catno FC 082) is available on vinyl at consistent prices near €20.45.
'Live And Cookin' At Alice's Revisited' US promo pressing
This 1972 Chess promo stereo LP (catno CH50015) captures Howlin’ Wolf's dynamic live show, with prices ranging from €18 to over €39 depending on pressing condition and rarity.
Records by Howlin’ Wolf
See all
FAQ
FAQ: Howlin’ Wolf on physical formats
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
When and where was Howlin' Wolf born?
Howlin’ Wolf was born Chester Arthur Burnett in 1910 in White Station near West Point, Mississippi, USA.
What is Howlin' Wolf known for in blues music?
He is known for pioneering Chicago blues with a powerful voice and electric guitar playing influential in rhythm & blues.
Which Howlin' Wolf album is notable for its original 1959 US vinyl pressing?
'Moanin' In The Moonlight' on Chess Records, released in 1959, is a landmark album with highly valued original vinyl editions.
Are there audiophile vinyl editions of Howlin' Wolf's albums?
Yes, several albums including 'Evil' and 'Moanin In The Moonlight' have 180g audiophile vinyl editions available.
Where was the 1973 original vinyl pressing of 'The Back Door Wolf' released?
The original 1973 stereo pressing of 'The Back Door Wolf' was released in the Netherlands on the Chess label.
What are some recommended Howlin' Wolf albums available on vinyl in France?
French collectors can find 'Live In Cambridge, MA., 1966' on Fan Club label as a vinyl LP pressing from 1991 widely available.
How many vinyl records by Howlin' Wolf are listed on Vinyles.com?
There are 14 vinyl titles by Howlin’ Wolf available, covering blues and jazz/blues genres.
What tracks are among Howlin' Wolf's most played songs on vinyl?
Top tracks include 'Spoonful', 'Smokestack Lightning', 'Little Red Rooster', and 'How Many More Years'.
Transparency
Sources & method
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
- Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.




