The King Of The Blues - The Sad And Short-Lived Life Of Robert Leroy Johnson

Possibly the most enigmatic singer and guitarist of the twentieth century is now one of the most revered and respected of all music artists who make up the genre of the "Blues." I speak of course about the fantastic Robert Leroy Johnson.

Born in 1911, in Hazelhurst, Mississippi. In southern plantation, he, in his pitifully short life has become one of many founding Fathers of the Blues.

He recorded only thirty six sides over a period of a couple of months somewhere between November 1936 and June 1937 in San Antonio Texas. These remarkable recordings still bring tears to the eyes of Blues enthusiasts the world over and molded the face of the music of our times.

The post-war Blues of Chicago owe a great debt to Robert Johnson and it's sad to think what might have been had he lived! In just a couple of short years he matured from a young black guitarist into a superstar of his day.

The often duplicated legend was perpetuated by his contemporaries that he sold his soul to the Devil to acquire his amazing guitar techniques.

His story is one of trouble tinged with wonderful success in his own locality of the Delta and women were said to be made helpless as he sang his compositions. His death in the hand of a jealous husband at the age of twenty seven robbed the entire world of one of America's greatest musicians and Blues artists.

Years after his death in 1938, a photograph was unearthed, one of only 2 in existence. It shows not only his inimitable style of dress, but quite exceptional slender fingers which helped him to achieve his unique mastery of the bottleneck guitar method.

Robert Johnson's skill as a poet of the time and place is absolutely unsurpassed in my estimation! For sure he borrowed words, phrases, as well as guitar licks from his peers, but molded them into something rather unique that not only stands the test of time, but has a relevance to today's rock music.

There can't be any Blues band on this planet that has not been influenced by Johnson and his music. This is a testament to the achievement of the man! There would be no heavy rock bands playing at any rock music festival without his influence.

Most of the long lasting bands of the R&B revolution of 62, 63, and on into the 1970's have recorded several of Roberts tunes.

Notable amongst these would be The Rolling Stones, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream, The Allman Brothers Band, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Elmore James, and many more.

Tune in to his tunes online by searching: music rock on.

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