Recorded: Place ?, November 27, 1936 Robert Johnson (g) (vcl) Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 — August 16, 1938) is among the most famous of Delta blues musicians. His landmark recordings from 1936–1937 display a remarkable combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that have influenced generations of musicians. Johnsons shadowy, poorly documented life and death at age 27 have given rise to much legend. Considered by some to be the "Grandfather of Rock n Roll", his vocal phrasing, original songs, and guitar style have influenced a broad range of musicians, including Muddy Waters, John Fogerty, Bob Dylan, Johnny Winter, Jimi Hendrix, The Yardbirds, Cream, Led Zeppelin, The Allman Brothers Band, The Rolling Stones, Paul Butterfield, The Band, Neil Young, Warren Zevon, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Robert Palmer, Jack White and Eric Clapton, who called Johnson "the most important blues musician who ever lived". He was also ranked fifth in Rolling Stones list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. He is an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Robert Johnson was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi probably on May 8, 1911, to Julia Major Dodds and Noah Johnson. Julia was married to Charles Dodds, a relatively prosperous landowner and furniture maker to whom she had borne 10 children. Dodds had been forced by a lynch mob to leave Hazlehurst following a dispute with white landowners. Julia herself left Hazlehurst with baby Robert, but after some two years <b>…<b>
Roots of Blues — Robert Johnson „Cross Road Blues"
23 thoughts on “Roots of Blues — Robert Johnson „Cross Road Blues"”
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Johnson was truly awesome. I wasn’t aware of that little nugget of information, thanks.
Robert Johnson himself not only encouraged, but also helped to spread the myth he had sold his soul to the devil for musical ability
It was mutually beneficial for the musician, and rumor-bearers
Sure, perpetuate the myth.
Named lucifer
Named lucifer
Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil
Thank you for the info. I’ll make note of that.
Ike Zinnerman or Zimmerman by name. But RJ was away more than a short time. Like most stories recounted from many years ago, the details get murky. Johnson might have travelled as far away as Canada after he got rolling as a musician. It’s even thought he may have had an electric trio along the way. But proof…that’s the hard part.
Check "Rosetta West – Nightmare Blues," for some good raw blues
lord lord lord. this never gets old, but only better in time
lord lord lord. this never gets old, but only better in time
1 word SUPERNATURAL
the devil legend is fun and all but anyone who believes it has the intelligence of a 6 year old
they made a supernatural episode about it. lol
Don’t know if Robert Johnson sold his soul or not, but for talent like that I think Im gonna look for the crossroads too…
Here because of ‘1001 songs to hear before you die’ — 987 to go!
Actually, your quite wrong. In 1941 Alex Lomax on behalf of the Library of Congress went looking for Robert Johnson, but he was already dead, (1938). What he found was an entire culture of Blues. Muddy Waters ended up in Chicago with a recording contract from Lomax’s "living room" recordings and had several hits in the early 50’s years before Elvis’s first, (Elvis was thrown out of his first audition). The blues made Elvis, not the other way-round.
Learn to read people …
One need not believe in the supernatural element of the story to appreciate the spice it lends to the mystique.
And have you actually heard the word "metaphor"?
supernaturallllllllllllllllllllllllll
Robert Johnson specifically would have never been heard. That much is certain. The reason Columbia released Robert Johnson’s songs was because blues was catching on. Before 1961, nobody knew Robert Johnson even existed except Son House. Also, I do not think blues musicians were trying to be famous. They were just doing their thing. There is a huge difference. They weren’t trying for fame so the couldn’t give up on fame.
Ya I seriously doubt that. So if the blues never caught on the blues players would have given up. Come on.. seriously think about what your saying. People know good music when they hear it. And eventually this would have gotten out