Howlin Wolf performing on American television show ‘Shindig’ on May 20, 1965 with The Rolling Stones adoringly seated at his feet.

Howlin Wolf was an unlikely option to appear on the iconic show that was built with a devoted teenage cult fan base and young demographic targeted to maintain and sell the idea of being eternally cool.

The Rolling Stones placed it in their contract the only way they would possibly make an appearance on the television show was if the legendary blues musician Howlin Wolf could appear as their guest performer.

The show fulfilled their demand with allowing an historical moment in Rock and Roll history that was pivotal in the backstory of its evolution and roots.

The Rolling Stones reached significant success in the UK with their cover of Howlin Wolf’s ‘Little Red Rooster’ & with great respect and tribute the band loving invited him on to their second American television performance of their first US tour in 1965.

At the height of their premiered success of their single ‘Satistisfaction’ May 20, 1965 proved to be an culturally significant moment in the history of television and its part it the storytelling of Rock and Roll. The impact abbreviated on the quickly moving message of youth and counter culture finding a dialogue at a time most conversations were dismissed with small talk and shallow themes of teenage novelty.

• originally aired May 26, 1965