1971 marked a tumultuous yet historic year for Chicago blues legend Howlin' Wolf. His health failing after suffering a second heart attack, doctors discovered his kidneys were also shutting down and he was ordered on dialysis to save his life. Wolf's doctors demanded that he quit performing at all costs, but the legendary blues musician did not have any quit in him. Three months after being ordered never to perform again he was headlining opening night at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival. 1971 also marked the release of Howlin' Wolf's second experimental offering, Message to the Young. Oft-considered his second attempt (after the Howlin' Wolf Album he famously shunned) at offering the masses a 'psychedelic' record, the sound on the record ranges from acid-rock, to blues, to funk, and back again. Arranged and conducted by Cash McCall with accompaniment from pianist Sonny Thompson.