Born: May 8, 1911 (1911-05-08) Hazlehurst, Mississippi, U.S.
Died: August 16, 1938 (Aged 27) Greenwood, Mississippi, U.S.
Genre(s): Delta Blues, Country Blues
Occupation(s): Musician, Songwriter
Instrument(s): Guitar
Years Active: 1929–1938
Notable Instrument(s): Gibson L-1

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. Johnson's 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, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, Jack White and Eric Clapton, who called Johnson "the most important blues singer that ever lived". He was also ranked fifth in Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

He is an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

For a complete description of Robert Johnson's Biography and Career, please refer to this Wikipedia link.
Footnote: Information Here Sourced From Wikipedia

COMMENT: It is important for people to know where Rock N' Roll originated, and that is why I present a brief documentation about Robert Johnson here. I myself can play rock chords and appreciate this knowledge and where it came from. Hopefully the younger peoples growing up today learn this and understand the Rock N' Roll they are listening to today originated from the 1930's blues artist, Robert Johnson. Most of the photos I present here of Robert Johnson are memorabilia and album covers, with very little portraits. Because theres not allot of photos to show you of Robert Johnson, I also added a selection of Youtube Videos.

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One of the most interesting facts about Robert Johnson is the tale of how he met the devil at the crossroads who bestowed upon him the gift of playing the guitar in return for his soul. The Following two pictures of the road(s), are said to be the actual Crossroads were Robert Johnson made his deal with the devil. Clarksdale 61/49 intersection has been proclaimed as the historical marker for the crossroads largely because Clarksdale is the home of several great blues artists like Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.

Some have suggested that the actual crossroads is located south of Clarksdale between Cleveland and Ruleville. It is told that Johnson visited the well-known guitarist, Charley Parker, at the Dockery Plantation located on Highway 8. It is said that the crossroads is located at old Highway 8 (which runs parallel to the new Highway 8) and Dockery Road, as seen in the photos. (Dockery Plantation in the background) Does not look like the crossroads I would have imagined. The film Crossroads has skewed my image. However, there is no longer an intersection. It appears that a field has taken over old Highway 8 and now the crossroads has become a T shape.

COMMENT: How much of this is fact is beyond me. I can only hope to believe the information I present here, is closest to the truth. I myself believe the first hand accounts of the people who were actually with Robert Johnson during that era. Follow the link to Wikipedia for the complete story.

Wikipedia Story About Robert Johnson's Deal With The Devil

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As a result of Robert Johnson' life being poorly documented, his life and music remain a mystery even to this day. We do not have much information about Johnson, what we do have are people who have some knowledge about this mysterious person. Though Johnson pops up on the life radar at the Leatherman Plantation in Robinsonville, Mississippi. Birth certificates have surfaced showing him being born in Hazleurst, Mississippi, on May 8, 1911. Johnson was the 11th child of Julia Major Dodds. Because Johnson was the offspring of an extramarital relationship, this created tension within the home when Julia was forced out of the home to work in various plantations.

Johnson’s death is even more puzzling. Some have said that Johnson died from pneumonia probably caused by complications with syphilis. Others like Honeyboy Edwards disagreed noting that Johnson was poisoned to death by a man who was seeking revenge on Johnson who was having an affair with his wife. Honeyboy Edwards avowed that he took Johnson to a home in Baptist Town, a suburb of Greenwood, Mississippi, where it was claimed that Johnson was crawling around on all fours, hissing and barking like a dog. Several days later he died at that home.

COMMENT: And Again, how much of this is fact is beyond me. I can only hope to believe the information I present here, is closest to the truth. It is said there are 2 gravesites of Robert Johnson and I do have the photos here to show you. Yes 2 gravesites, lol, only in America! Anyways we all know there can only be one gravesite, but which one is real! You be the judge. Follow the link to Wikipedia for the complete story.

Wikipedia Story About Robert Johnson's Death And Burial

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