Podcast Summary: The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers Episode 154 - Howlin’ Wolf - Moanin’ In The Moonlight Release Date: June 25, 2025

Introduction to the Episode

In Episode 154 of "The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers," hosts Josh Adam Meyers and his guests Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Wayne Fetterman delve deep into the legacy of Howlin' Wolf, specifically focusing on his 1959 album "Moanin’ In The Moonlight." This episode explores Howlin' Wolf's profound influence on the blues genre and his lasting impact on iconic rock bands.

Guest Introductions and Tour Updates

Kenny Wayne Shepherd joins the show, providing updates on his current activities:

[00:22] Kenny Wayne Shepherd: "For millions of businesses, that business is Shopify... boost conversions up to 50%."

(Although this quote pertains to an advertisement, Kenny transitions into his personal updates later in the episode.)

Josh shares exciting news about the podcast's growth and upcoming tours:

[01:57] Josh Adam Myers: "We got ranked. It's one of the 50100 best music podcasts... Join the Fleece army."

Exploring Howlin' Wolf and Hubert Sumlin

The core of the episode centers on Howlin' Wolf and his remarkable guitarist, Hubert Sumlin. Kenny Wayne Shepherd emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between Wolf's powerful vocals and Sumlin's innovative guitar work.

[09:55] Kenny Wayne Shepherd: "Howlin' Wolf isn't known so much for his guitar playing as he’s more known for his voice. Is that wrong?"

[10:11] Wayne Fetterman: "I love music. I love music... especially guitar hero guy."

Howlin' Wolf's Musical Style and Innovation

Howlin' Wolf's music is characterized by its intense vocals and pioneering guitar riffs. Kenny highlights Wolf's unique sounds and lyrical depth:

[11:23] Kenny Wayne Shepherd: "May I say that instead of the one I skip over, please, is how many more years? Because that is really... Because that's up Temple. It's incredible."

The guests discuss Wolf's ability to create multiple songs from a single musical idea, showcasing his creativity:

[15:07] Kenny Wayne Shepherd: "Hubert's guitar riffs are part of the hook, making the songs catchy and memorable."

The London Sessions and Howlin' Wolf's Influence on Rock Bands

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the 1971 London Sessions where Howlin' Wolf collaborated with members of The Rolling Stones and Jeff Beck. This collaboration bridged American blues with British rock, influencing bands like Led Zeppelin and Cream.

[33:48] Wayne Fetterman: "Those two songs are really kicked off his whole career... now back to Chicago, became very popular."

[39:27] Wayne Fetterman: "He could play guitar. He's probably, for an instrument more well-known for his harmonica playing, most well-known for his unique voice."

Kenny underscores the under-recognition of Hubert Sumlin despite his crucial role:

[23:51] Wayne Fetterman: "Howlin' Wolf might be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame... but Hubert deserves to be right there with him."

Personal Anecdotes and Reflections

Kenny shares personal experiences playing alongside Hubert Sumlin, illustrating Sumlin's virtuosity and charisma on stage:

[21:06] Kenny Wayne Shepherd: "Watching him and watching his hand technique... they just entertain people in a way that, you know, even people in my generation, we just don't do it like that."

Wayne reflects on the evolution of blues from the Delta to Chicago, emphasizing how electric instrumentation revolutionized the genre:

[54:20] Wayne Fetterman: "The Delta blues was basically acoustic... Then they figured out how to electrify these instruments and it just went to a whole nother level."

The Legacy of Howlin' Wolf

The trio discusses Howlin' Wolf's enduring legacy and his role as a cornerstone in the blues genre:

[75:44] Wayne Fetterman: "He's got to be one of that era. Definitely, definitely. He's always on the top of that..."

They also touch upon Howlin' Wolf’s personal life and struggles, providing a holistic view of the man behind the music:

[51:02] Wayne Fetterman: "He was estranged from his mother because his mother thought... she thought the blues was the devil's music."

Closing Remarks and Future Episodes

As the episode wraps up, Josh and Wayne reflect on the impact of Howlin' Wolf's music and tease future episodes focusing on other legendary artists:

[77:28] Josh Adam Myers: "This is setting a blues master among famous musicians from the second generation of rock and roll, in this case, Clapton, Wynwood, Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman."

They encourage listeners to explore Howlin' Wolf's "The London Sessions" and share their enthusiasm for the artist's profound influence.

Notable Quotes

• “… nobody does online business better than Shopify...” – Kenny Wayne Shepherd [00:22]
• “Howlin' Wolf isn’t known so much for his guitar playing as he’s more known for his voice.” – Kenny Wayne Shepherd [09:55]
• “Howlin' Wolf might be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame... but Hubert deserves to be right there with him.” – Wayne Fetterman [23:51]
• “Watching him and watching his hand technique... they just entertain people in a way that, you know, even people in my generation, we just don’t do it like that.” – Kenny Wayne Shepherd [21:06]
• “He was estranged from his mother because his mother thought... she thought the blues was the devil's music.” – Wayne Fetterman [51:02]

Conclusion

Episode 154 offers an in-depth exploration of Howlin' Wolf's "Moanin’ In The Moonlight," highlighting the synergy between Wolf and Hubert Sumlin, and detailing their collective influence on the evolution of blues and rock music. Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Wayne Fetterman provide insightful commentary and personal anecdotes that enrich listeners' understanding of this blues icon's legacy.

For those passionate about blues and its intersection with rock history, this episode is a treasure trove of knowledge and appreciation for Howlin' Wolf's enduring impact.