RIP - Hubert Sumlin, guitar great

We must recognize the death earlier this week of the great blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin. Best known for his groundbreaking work as lead guitar player in Howlin' Wolf's band, Sumlin had a huge influence on nearly every great guitar player of the generation that followed him - Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Steve Kropper, Robbie Robertson, Jimmy Page, etc.

Sumlin was truly one of the principal architects of the guitar sound of not only modern electric Chicago blues, but R&B, funk and the best soul music.

Here's Hubert Sumlin playing on the 1956 Howlin' Wolf classic "Smokestack Lightnin":

Sumlin also did significant work with Willie Dixon including the lead guitar work on the classic "Spoonful":

Sumlin may be the greatest guitar player you'd never heard of until he died this week at the age of 80.