Killing Floor
Encyclopedia
"Killing Floor" is a song by American blues
singer-songwriter and guitarist Howlin' Wolf
. Called "one of the defining classics of Chicago electric blues", "Killing Floor" has been recorded by a variety of artists and has been acknowledged by the Blues Foundation
Hall of Fame.
; Wolf uses it as a metaphor for his relationship predicament. "Killing Floor" is an upbeat twelve-bar blues with an "instantly familiar" guitar riff provided by longtime Wolf associate Hubert Sumlin
. Backing Howlin' Wolf (vocals) and Sumlin (electric guitar) are Lafayette Leake
(piano), Buddy Guy
(acoustic guitar), Andrew McMahon (bass), Sam Lay
(drums), Arnold Rogers (tenor sax), and Donald Hankins (baritone sax). The song appears on several Howlin' Wolf compilation albums, including his 1966 album The Real Folk Blues. In 1991, "Killing Floor" was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in the "Classics of Blues Recordings" category.
performed "Killing Floor" early in his career, including early vocal performances with Curtis Knight
and the Squires during 1965–1966. Shortly after arriving in England in September 1966, Hendrix performed the song when he sat in with Cream
. "Killing Floor" was included in the set list of the newly formed Jimi Hendrix Experience
. The song was often a set opener and Hendrix played the song at a faster tempo with a different rhythm guitar and bass line. Early recordings include live versions from October 1966 in Paris (The Jimi Hendrix Experience box set), March 1967 in the BBC studios (BBC Sessions
), and June 1967 at the Monterey International Pop Festival (Jimi Plays Monterey
).
performed "Killing Floor" live in 1968 and 1969 and it became the basis for their "The Lemon Song
". In some early performances Robert Plant
introduced the song as "Killing Floor"; an early UK pressing of Led Zeppelin II
showed the title as "Killing Floor" and was credited to Chester Burnett aka Howlin' Wolf. Led Zeppelin's version was performed at a much slower tempo (until the bridge) with some different lyrics. After legal action by Howlin' Wolf's publisher, his name was added to the credits for "The Lemon Song".
, recorded the song for their 1968 album A Long Time Comin'
. The song opens with an excerpt of a speech by then U.S. President Lyndon Johnson, which is promptly cut off by the music amid laughter. In 1969, Albert King
recorded it for his Years Gone By
album. Hubert Sumlin performed it with Eric Clapton
, Jimmie Vaughan
, and Robert Cray
at the 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival
.
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
singer-songwriter and guitarist Howlin' Wolf
Howlin' Wolf
Chester Arthur Burnett , known as Howlin' Wolf, was an influential American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player....
. Called "one of the defining classics of Chicago electric blues", "Killing Floor" has been recorded by a variety of artists and has been acknowledged by the Blues Foundation
Blues Foundation
The Blues Foundation is an American nonprofit corporation, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, that is affiliated with more than 175 Blues organizations from various parts of the world....
Hall of Fame.
Original song
Howlin' Wolf recorded "Killing Floor" in 1964 and it was released as a single. The song's title refers to the active area of slaughterhouseSlaughterhouse
A slaughterhouse or abattoir is a facility where animals are killed for consumption as food products.Approximately 45-50% of the animal can be turned into edible products...
; Wolf uses it as a metaphor for his relationship predicament. "Killing Floor" is an upbeat twelve-bar blues with an "instantly familiar" guitar riff provided by longtime Wolf associate Hubert Sumlin
Hubert Sumlin
Hubert Sumlin is an American Chicago blues and electric blues guitarist and singer, best known for his celebrated work, from 1955, as guitarist in Howlin' Wolf's band. His singular playing is characterized by "wrenched, shattering bursts of notes, sudden cliff-hanger silences and daring rhythmic...
. Backing Howlin' Wolf (vocals) and Sumlin (electric guitar) are Lafayette Leake
Lafayette Leake
Lafayette Leake was a blues and jazz pianist, organist, vocalist and composer who played for Chess Records as a session musician, and as a member of the Big Three Trio, during the formative years of Chicago blues. He played piano on many of Chuck Berry's recordings.-Biography:Leake was born in...
(piano), Buddy Guy
Buddy Guy
George "Buddy" Guy is an American blues and jazz guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation...
(acoustic guitar), Andrew McMahon (bass), Sam Lay
Sam Lay
Sam Lay is an American drummer and vocalist, who has been performing since the late 1950s.-Life and career:...
(drums), Arnold Rogers (tenor sax), and Donald Hankins (baritone sax). The song appears on several Howlin' Wolf compilation albums, including his 1966 album The Real Folk Blues. In 1991, "Killing Floor" was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in the "Classics of Blues Recordings" category.
Jimi Hendrix version
Jimi HendrixJimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
performed "Killing Floor" early in his career, including early vocal performances with Curtis Knight
Curtis Knight
Curtis Knight was an American music artist and band leader who is known for his connection to Jimi Hendrix....
and the Squires during 1965–1966. Shortly after arriving in England in September 1966, Hendrix performed the song when he sat in with Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
. "Killing Floor" was included in the set list of the newly formed Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Jimi Hendrix Experience were an English-American psychedelic rock band that formed in London in October 1966. Comprising eponymous singer-songwriter and guitarist Jimi Hendrix, bassist and backing vocalist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, the band was active until June 1969, in which...
. The song was often a set opener and Hendrix played the song at a faster tempo with a different rhythm guitar and bass line. Early recordings include live versions from October 1966 in Paris (The Jimi Hendrix Experience box set), March 1967 in the BBC studios (BBC Sessions
BBC Sessions (The Jimi Hendrix Experience)
-Recording details:Based on CD track numbers.*Tracks 1/1, 1/13-15 and 2/9-11 recorded February 13, 1967.*Tracks 1/8, 2/1-2 recorded March 28, 1967.*Track 2/12 recorded April 17, 1967.*Tracks 1/9-12, 1/16-17, 2/7-8 and 2/13 recorded October 6, 1967...
), and June 1967 at the Monterey International Pop Festival (Jimi Plays Monterey
Jimi Plays Monterey
-See also:*Jimi Hendrix discography*Monterey International Pop Festival - Otis Redding/The Jimi Hendrix Experience*Live at Monterey...
).
Led Zeppelin version
Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
performed "Killing Floor" live in 1968 and 1969 and it became the basis for their "The Lemon Song
The Lemon Song
"The Lemon Song" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin, featured on their 1969 album Led Zeppelin II. It was recorded at Mystic Studios in Hollywood when the band was on their second concert tour of the United States....
". In some early performances Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
introduced the song as "Killing Floor"; an early UK pressing of Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin II
The finished tracks reflect the raw, evolving sound of the band and their ability as live performers. The album has been noted for featuring a further development of the lyrical themes established by Robert Plant on Led Zeppelin's debut album, creating a work which would become more widely...
showed the title as "Killing Floor" and was credited to Chester Burnett aka Howlin' Wolf. Led Zeppelin's version was performed at a much slower tempo (until the bridge) with some different lyrics. After legal action by Howlin' Wolf's publisher, his name was added to the credits for "The Lemon Song".
Other versions
The Electric Flag, a blues-rock group led by guitarist Mike BloomfieldMike Bloomfield
Michael Bernard "Mike" Bloomfield was an American musician, guitarist, and composer, born in Chicago, Illinois, who became one of the first popular music superstars of the 1960s to earn his reputation almost entirely on his instrumental prowess, since he rarely sang before 1969–70...
, recorded the song for their 1968 album A Long Time Comin'
A Long Time Comin'
A Long Time Comin' is the first album by American rock band The Electric Flag, released in 1968. The meat of the album is Soul along with Blues and Rock with a horn section...
. The song opens with an excerpt of a speech by then U.S. President Lyndon Johnson, which is promptly cut off by the music amid laughter. In 1969, Albert King
Albert King
Albert King was an American blues guitarist and singer, and a major influence in the world of blues guitar playing.-Career:...
recorded it for his Years Gone By
Years Gone By
Years Gone By is a Blues album by Albert King.-Track listing:#"Wrapped Up In Love Again" – 2:18#"You Don't Love Me" – 3:28#"Cockroach" – 3:18#"Killing Floor" – 3:05...
album. Hubert Sumlin performed it with Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
, Jimmie Vaughan
Jimmie Vaughan
James Lawrence "Jimmie" Vaughan is an American blues rock guitarist and singer from Dallas, Texas, United States. He is the older brother of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan....
, and Robert Cray
Robert Cray
Robert Cray is an American blues guitarist and singer. A five-time Grammy Award winner, he has led his own band, as well as an acclaimed solo career.-Career:...
at the 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival
Crossroads Guitar Festival
The Crossroads Guitar Festival is a music festival and benefit concert first held in 2004 and again in 2007 and 2010. The festivals benefit the Crossroads Centre founded by Eric Clapton, a drug treatment center located in Antigua. The concerts are also intended to be a showcase for a variety of...
.