Happy Birthday Robert Johnson

[46Tbird]

He would be 100 years old this Sunday... if he hadn't died in 1938.

I assume most of you have never heard of him, but his music is considered the foundation for most blues, jazz, and rock that came after him. He only recorded 29 songs, most of which have been covered hundreds of times. Some of the disciples of Johnson include Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Led Zeppelin, and Eric Clapton.

All of his known recordings came from two sessions, one in San Antonio, and one off Park Avenue in Dallas, which is between Deep Ellum and the Dallas City Hall - not a good place to be.

Johnson was an absolute rascal in his day, which led to a jealous husband lacing a drink with strychnine before having his wife hand it to him. He died three days later.

If you're into music, it would be worth your time to read up on him! Or hell, just listen to the first 30 seconds of each of these tracks...

[Big Dad]

[Superwho]

When I first started playing I was 11 and my uncle gave me his old acoustic and some Robert Johnson tapes. That stuff still hits me right. I used to play his stuff at parties in High School and people thought I made it up. Thanks for educating some people on Robert.

[Steve]

Big fan of blues in general, but especially old original southern blues like Mr. Johnson. Thanks for posting this, awesome stuff.

[ELVIS]

sold his soul to the devil or so the story goes....

The legend goes that the King of the Delta Blues, Robert Johnson, sold his soul to the devil for mastery of the guitar at a Mississippi crossroads. There was a price to pay. Johnson died at 27, possibly killed by a jilted lover. Johnson’s 100th birthday will be celebrated on May 8. The List this week looks at the famed American blues singer and musician, whose haunting lyrics and guitar playing still influence the world of music.

Early this mornin’, when you knocked upon my door, I said, ‘Hello, Satan, I believe it’s time to go. — You can bury my body down by the highway side Lord, my old evil spirit can catch a Greyhound bus and ride.

Born — Robert Leroy Johnson was born May 8, 1911, in Hazlehurst, Miss. His parents, Julia Spencer and Noah Johnson, were itinerant sharecroppers.
Fame — Johnson’s real fame was posthumous, starting in 1961 when Columbia issued the 16-track compilation “King of the Delta Blues Singers.”
Family — Johnson fathered a child with Vergie Mae Smith. He also married Caletta Craft in May 1931 but left her the following year to become an itinerant blues musician in the Mississippi Delta.
Songs recorded — Johnson recorded 29 songs in two recording sessions in 1936 and 1937. A half-dozen scratchy 78-rpm discs were released during his lifetime. Those songs cemented his place as the undisputed King of Delta Blues.
Famous songs — “Crossroad Blues,” “Sweet Home Chicago,” “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom” and “Hellhound on My Trail.”
Influenced — His musical legacy has influenced Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Elvis Presley, ZZ Top, Jack White, the White Stripes, Led Zeppelin and Chris Goldsmith.
Johnson covers — Johnson’s classic songs have been recorded by the Rolling Stones, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Blues Brothers, Cassandra Wilson, Peter Green, John Hammond Jr., Rory Block and Eric Clapton, who in 2004 made the tribute album “Me and Mr. Johnson.”
Death — He died on Aug. 16, 1938, under unusual circumstances near Greenwood, Miss., at age 27.
Poisoned — The story goes that Johnson, a known womanizer, showed up for an engagement at Three Forks Store in August 1938 and was poisoned, probably by a jealous husband or a jilted lover. He was taken to a house on the Star of the West plantation near Greenwood and cared for there, but died on Aug. 16, 1938.
Quote on Johnson — “It was so much more powerful than anything else I had heard or was listening to,” Eric Clapton said in an interview with NPR. “Amongst all of his peers I felt he was the one that was talking from his soul without really compromising for anybody. — In one way or another, he’s been in my life since I was a kid.”
Guitar tuning — A number of researchers have advanced the theory that Johnson used “secret tunings” such as Aadd9 tuning. Guitarists are still laboring to master his incredible fingerwork.
Concert he never had — Before his untimely death, Johnson was selected to perform at the “From Spirituals to Swing” concert in Carnegie Hall in 1938. He was replaced on the bill by Big Bill Broonzy.
Burial site — Johnson has three burial markers in Leflore County, Miss. Most agree that he is buried beneath a pecan tree in the cemetery at Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
The Crossroads — In Clarksdale, Miss., a sign at the intersections of Highways 49 and 61 announces that it is “the crossroads” where Johnson is reputed to have sold his soul to the devil. However, the intersection didn’t even exist during Johnson’s lifetime.
Photos — There exist just two actual photographs of Johnson. One is a photo-booth self-portrait that depicts the bluesman with a cigarette, and the other is a portrait of him in a hat and pinstriped suit taken by the Hooks Bros. studio in Memphis.

god bless.

[BP]

Check out Lead Belly if you are into Delta Blues, or 1930s music in general. Lots of bands took his music and made careers out of it. One of the most influential artists that you've probably never heard of.

I'd never heard of Robert Johnson, thanks for sharing.

[JP135]

Props to 46tbird. Hell yes on some Robert Johnson. I love Delta Blues.

Lately I'm listening to a lot of Lightnin' Hopkins and Howlin' Wolf.

[Geor!]

I would like to know exactly who has never heard of Robert Johnson?!

Kevin Moore's version of Come On in My Kitchen is exceptional.

[War Machine]

The roll of Tommy Johnson was based on Robert Johnson in the movie O Brother Where Art Thou

[78X]

Happy birfday big dick Johnson!

[Fatass]

[46Tbird]

Props to 46tbird. Hell yes on some Robert Johnson. I love Delta Blues.

Lately I'm listening to a lot of Lightnin' Hopkins and Howlin' Wolf.

Two of my favorites as well. If you're not already familiar with their music, get some Muddy Waters and Elmore James too. If you like the more electric Chicago-style blues, give Hound Dog Taylor and JB Hutto a shot. Those six artists plus robert johnson are about all I listen to these days.

[Slowhand]

You'd be hard pressed to find a musician that did more with just his voice and one instrument. His influence was and is unfathomably huge. And his music is still fucking awesome to listen to 90 years later.

[Strychnine]

They aren't Robert Johnson, but these guys kick ass as well:


Son House - Death Letter





John Lee Hooker - Hobo Blues





Booker Lee - Poor Boy Long Way From Home





Booker White - Aberdeen Mississippi Blues






Skip James - Crow Jane

[Sean88gt]

I studied that dude in a music class. The devil collected on him early.