New Brookhaven Lab Film Series Begins May 6

Featuring an Interview with Noted Guitarist Hubert Sumlin and a Showing of _The Howlin_ Wolf Story_

April 7, 2004

Upton, NY — The new "BNL Film Series" will begin at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory on Thursday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m. with a showing of "The Howlin_ Wolf Story - The Secret History of Rock & Roll." Sponsored by the BNL Music Club, the monthly film series will be open to the public. All visitors to the Lab age 16 and over must bring a photo ID.

This first film is a critically acclaimed documentary of the life and career of 1950s blues musician Chester Arthur Burnett, better known as Howlin' Wolf. An innovator in the world of rock and roll, Wolf was a star in Memphis long before Elvis came on the scene, and was one of the first artists to record for the famous Memphis record company, Sun Records. Wolf's deep, unique voice also made him a popular radio personality.

The screening will also feature a live interview with Hubert Sumlin, Wolf's collaborator and guitarist for over 20 years. Sumlin influenced the electric guitar and blues artists that followed him, including Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. Together, Wolf and Sumlin helped changed the sound of American music. Conducting the interview will be Joe Lauro, the film's producer and archivist, from whom "Howlin' Wolf" has been borrowed.

The film series will feature classic and avant-garde films, and will be held in Brookhaven's Berkner Hall at the beginning of each month. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door. For more information about the film series, call (631) 344-3846. The Laboratory is located on William Floyd Parkway (County Road 46), one-and-a-half miles north of Exit 68 of the Long Island Expressway.

2004-10156  |  INT/EXT  |  Newsroom