Robert Johnson (musician)

He was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. He was the 11th child of his mother Julia Major Dodds, and 10th child of his father Charles Dodds. When he was born, his father had left his mother. He was brought up by a field worker named Noah Johnson. That is why he chose "Johnson" for his family name.

Johnson began playing guitar when he was a child. In February 1929, he married Virginia Travis and became serious about playing the guitar. His wife died in childbirth at the age of 16 in April 1930. Johnson began traveling up and down the Delta. Around 1936, he was introduced to other blues players through a friend.

He had a remarkable combination of talent for singing, playing the guitar and composing songs. His vocals, the originality of his songs and his style of playing guitar have influenced many musicians. These include: John Fogerty, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, The Yardbirds, The Black Keys, and The White Stripes. Eric Clapton said Johnson is "the greatest blues musician ever to live."

Johnson was ranked 71st on Rolling Stone magazine list of "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." In 1986, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[1]

Johnson died on August 16, 1938. He died at the age of twenty-seven from poisoning. Johnson's death was not reported publicly. Almost 30 years later, Gayle Dean Wardlow, a Mississippi-based musicologist researching Johnson's life, found Johnson's death certificate, which listed only the date and location, with no official cause of death. No formal autopsy had been done. Instead, a pro forma examination was done to file the death certificate, and no immediate cause of death was determined. It is likely he had congenital syphilis and it was suspected later by medical professionals that this may have been a contributing factor in his death. However, 30 years of local oral tradition had, like the rest of his life story, built a legend which has filled in gaps in the scant historical record. His early death and unknown early life have led to the spread of many legends, such as going down to the crossroads near Dockery Plantation and making a deal with the devil, which cursed the musician and leading to the creation of the 27 Club.

Eleven records were made by Robert Johnson with Vocalion during his lifetime, and a twelfth record was made once he had died.[2]

All following songs were released after 1939: