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Few blues music names are more linked with legend, mystery, and awe than Robert Johnson. His records transcended time, influencing generations of artists and cementing his status as one of the all-time top blues performers. But despite the ominous melodies and virtuosic guitar playing, there is a story shrouded in unanswered questions, myths, and a sense of mystery that continues to fascinate followers despite historians to this day.
In this post, based on the compelling study by Deburke321, we will delve deeply into the life, challenges, and legacy of Robert Johnson — a man whose brief 27 years left an indelible mark on music history. From his childhood and musical ups and downs to crossroads legend and his premature death, this article uncovers the intriguing existence of a legendary musician who, the legends say, sold his soul to the devil to become a master of the guitar.
Early Life: Mississippi Humble Beginnings
Robert Johnson was born on May 8, 1911, in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, to Julia Dodds and Noah Johnson. His birth was also complicated by circumstance; he was born out of wedlock and never knew his biological father. His mother had already given birth to ten children with her husband Charles, who became Robert's stepfather. Charles was a relatively successful landowner, but a standoff with a lynch mob forced him to relocate to Memphis, Tennessee. Robert spent some of his early childhood with Charles in Memphis, but later he moved back to Mississippi at the age of eight or nine to stay with his mother and her new husband, Dusty Willis.
As a kid living in the segregated South as an African-American kid in the early 20th century, Robert's life was filled with struggle and racial tension. His stepfather made him work in the fields of the plantation, something that went against Robert's newfound passion for music. Robert became serious about music during his teen years. One of his brothers taught him how to play basic guitar, and he was even a good harmonica player. He even began writing songs and singing, albeit with performances far from impressive at first.
Despite his developing interest in music, Robert's stepfather did not sanction his behavior, and conflict and tension resulted. Robert wed 16-year-old Virginia Travis when he was 19, but disaster struck when she died in childbirth after one year. Robert was a widower at age 20, alienated from his stepfather, and burdened by the struggles of his childhood. His music was one thing that remained consistent throughout his chaotic life.
Sun House and The Struggle to Find His Sound
It was during this period that a significant influence came into Robert's life: blues master Son House. Son House moved to a town near where Robert lived and played on a regular basis at a local juke joint. For Robert, still refining his craft, watching Son House perform live was an amazing influence.
Nevertheless, Robert was still not a sophisticated musician. Son House has famously described Robert's early guitar work as "terrible," recalling how Robert was routinely asked to stop playing because his attempts were more cacophony than music. He and other bluesman Willie Brown would play at the juke joint, but Robert was often left sitting on the sidelines, trying to practice on their guitars between tunes.
"He followed me and Willie Saturday night. whenever we'd stop to rest, he'd sit down in the corner and go out to catch out, you know, get the guitar and be trying to play. And it was just noise. people would come out and say, 'Why don't y'all put that thing down? He's running us crazy.'" — Son House
The environment was inspiring but discouraging. Since there was great talent all around him, his own lack of ability and resources meant learning was impossible in such a challenging setting. This period must have stoked his desire to be improved, and perhaps it was this challenge that led to one of the most enduring myths in blues history.
The Legend of The Devil at The Crossroads
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Between 1930 and 1932, something incredible happened. Robert Johnson's playing on the guitar changed dramatically for the better, taking him from the level of a poor amateur to that of a master. How dramatically and quickly he changed left those around him in awe and gave rise to the legendary myth that he traded his soul to the devil.
Legend has it that Robert made his way to a crossroads at night with his guitar. At midnight, the devil appeared, took the guitar, tuned it, played a flawless song, and then returned the guitar to Robert. Robert was blessed with the reputation of a master guitarist, destined for fame but to a fatal destiny, having sold his soul.
This tale, while unbelievable, illustrates how amazing Robert's transformation actually was. The myth spread in part due to a man named Liddell Johnson, who in 1971 related the tale that his brother Tommy had sold his soul to the devil—although Tommy had nothing to do with Robert. Yet the tale became forever linked to Robert Johnson's name, pointing to the astonishment his skill created.
When Robert came back to play with Son House after this breakthrough, the response was dramatic. No longer did he get the "stop playing" warning; instead, his playing left people agog and speechless. His new skill level allowed him to enter into a partnership with other blues player Johnny Shines, traveling throughout the South and continuing to hone his craft.
Recording Career and Dark Themes in His Music
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By the mid-1930s, Robert Johnson was ready to record his music. His second wife had passed away, and he was determined to make a name for himself. In November 1936, he entered a recording studio for the first time, making a series of recordings that would go on to become legendary. Over the next few months, he recorded nearly 30 songs, most of which are now considered classics.
Johnson's songs were generally concerned with dark themes — death, the devil, hell, and fate — common to the blues but particularly at the heart of his repertoire. Songs like "Me and the Devil Blues," "If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day," "Hellhound on My Trail," and "Cross Road Blues" were not only representative of his musical talents but also of the mysterious and ominous persona that was enveloping him.
Despite the greatness of his recordings, Robert Johnson was quite obscure during his time. His songs were not popular, and even the blues genre as a whole was widely shunned. The somber connotations and poignant lyrics did feed into the enigma, however, which would ultimately entice listeners everywhere.
The Mystical Death of Robert Johnson
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Tragically, Robert Johnson passed away at the age of 27 on August 16, 1938. The reason for his death is as enigmatic as his life. His death certificate was discovered decades later and did not mention any cause of death, leaving it to speculation and theory.
The most plausible explanation is that Robert died from untreated syphilis, a common and fatal disease among the poor at the time. There is, though, a more sinister theory that Robert was poisoned.
Robert was said to have been performing at a country dance outside Robinsonville, Mississippi. He was said to have been flirting with a married woman, whose husband was said to have poisoned Robert's drink. Another musician, Sunny Boy Williamson, had reportedly warned Robert not to accept drinks from strangers, but Robert, angry with the warning, accepted a second drink and consumed it. Williamson's account lends a little credibility to the poisoning theory.
Blues researcher Robert Mack McCormack claimed that he had discovered the murderer of Robert and obtained a confession, but he never identified the killer or the confession, keeping the mystery alive.
Whatever the motive, Robert Johnson's death at such a tender age cemented his place in the infamous "27 Club," a roster of legendary musicians who died at the age of 27, including Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.
Legacy and Posthumous Acceptance
In nearly two decades since his death, Robert Johnson's music had been relatively unrecognized. It did not become publicly popular until the release of Columbia Records' "King of the Delta Blues Singers" album in 1961, when his music entered a wider market and achieved critical acclaim. This album is presently recognized as among the greatest blues albums ever documented and solidified Johnson's image as a legend among blues fans.
Johnson's influence transcends the blues. Musicians such as Mick Jagger, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, and Eric Clapton have cited him as a key influence. His "Cross Road Blues" entered the Grammy Hall of Fame, and he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. He won a Grammy for Best Historical Album in 1990, further celebrating his enduring impact.
Robert Johnson's life, one of adversity, mystery, and legend, speaks to his dedication and talent. While the story of selling his soul to the devil in exchange for favor is likely apocryphal, it serves as a metaphor for the incredible talent and rapid rise he achieved through sheer drive and devotion to music.
Conclusion: The Soul of the Blues
Robert Johnson did not sell his soul to the devil in a literal sense, but he certainly sold his soul to the blues. His brief but fiery career transformed the genre beyond recognition and influenced numerous musicians of various generations. His life is a blend of fact and fiction, with questions left unanswered and legends that remain captivating.
Despite the privations of his childhood, the mysterious crossroads, and his untimely death, Robert Johnson's recordings remain a powerful voice of the blues — raw, emotional, and timeless. His legacy attests to the reality that occasionally, the finest artistry comes from adversity, mystery, and the relentless drive for one's passion.
For anyone wishing to find out more about Robert Johnson and the blues, his recorded output is a haunting glimpse into the existence of a man who lived beyond legend, both for his music and for the mythos which has built up around him.
