{
  "slug": "howlin-wolf",
  "name": "Howlin' Wolf",
  "description": "Howlin' Wolf appears once in our Blues list, placing as high as No. 2. Hand-curated, with a reason for every pick.",
  "updated": "2026-08-30",
  "url": "https://waxonia.com/artist/howlin-wolf/",
  "appearanceCount": 1,
  "distinctRecordings": 1,
  "years": {
    "first": 1956,
    "last": 1956
  },
  "highestPlacing": {
    "rank": 2,
    "list": "Blues"
  },
  "appearsOn": [
    {
      "kind": "genre",
      "slug": "blues",
      "name": "Blues",
      "url": "https://waxonia.com/genre/blues/",
      "entries": 1
    }
  ],
  "tracks": [
    {
      "trackKey": "howlin-wolf--smokestack-lightnin",
      "trackUrl": "https://waxonia.com/track/howlin-wolf--smokestack-lightnin/",
      "title": "Smokestack Lightnin'",
      "year": 1956,
      "label": "Chess",
      "isrc": null,
      "whyItMatters": "One chord, a harmonica and a howl, held for three minutes without developing at all. The most hypnotic record on this list and the one the British bands could never get right.",
      "alsoOn": [],
      "links": {
        "spotify": {
          "url": "https://open.spotify.com/search/Howlin'%20Wolf%20Smokestack%20Lightnin'",
          "exact": false
        },
        "youtubeMusic": {
          "url": "https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=VMUt8KdDtTY",
          "exact": true
        }
      },
      "rank": 2,
      "on": {
        "kind": "genre",
        "slug": "blues",
        "name": "Blues",
        "url": "https://waxonia.com/genre/blues/"
      },
      "artist": "Howlin' Wolf"
    }
  ],
  "curates": null
}