Hubert Sumlin Dies

Hubert Sumlin, the blues guitarist who performed with Howlin’ Wolf and influenced Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix Stevie Ray Vaughan and others, died of congestive heart failure Dec. 4 at a hospital in Wayne, N.J.

Sumlin, 80, was best known for his work with Howlin’ Wolf on hits including “Smokestack Lightning,” “Spoonful,” “Wang Dang Doodle” and “Back Door Man,” but he also recorded some solo albums in the 1960s.

Sumlin was nominated for four Grammy awards, earned numerous blues awards and was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 2008. He continued to perform until just before his death.