Hey Folks:
On my quest to spotlight some awesome blues music I’ve decided that my first artist would be Robert Johnson.
Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938) is now 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. Johnson’s shadowy, poorly documented life and death at age 27 have given rise to much legend, including a Faustian myth.
If you are anything like me the only reason why you know about Robert Johnson is because of the Blues Brother’s — the movie that is! It’s because of their rendition of Mr. Johnson’s original Sweet Home Chicago that I even know who Robert Johnson is!
Food for thought…
According to legend, as a young black man living on a plantation in rural Mississippi, Robert Johnson was branded with a burning desire to become a great blues musician. He was “instructed” to take his guitar to a crossroad near Dockery Plantation at midnight. There he was met by a large black man (the Devil) who took the guitar and tuned it. The “Devil” played a few songs and then returned the guitar to Johnson, giving him mastery of the instrument. This was, in effect, a deal with the Devil mirroring the legend of Faust. In exchange for his soul, Robert Johnson was able to create the blues for which he became famous.
Be sure to stop by and see who I spotlight next.
PEACE!