Over the course of the last few months, I had the opportunity to learn about the most famous blues artists in music history. These such artists included King of Delta Blues Robert Johnson, Chicago Blues icon Muddy Waters, and Texas Blues rock star Stevie Ray Vaughan. Recently, one of my writing assignments was to write a biography on any one of the bluesmen I learned about. For the assignment I chose Robert Johnson.

Here is the biography…

            Probably one of the greatest music icons in history, Robert Johnson transformed the world of blues from a regional tradition to a staple of modern culture. Through his active career and far-reaching legacy alike, he single-handedly crafted the world of modern music we see today. Born from poverty, Robert Johnson rose to musical greatness. Contributing to the world of modern blues and influencing dozens after his death, Robert Johnson is one of the true founders of modern music.

            Robert Johnson was born near Hazlehurst, Mississippi around May 8^th, 1911. For the first part of his life, Johnson was raised by his mother and plantation worker Noah Johnson. At around the age of three or four, he moved to Tennessee to live with his father Charles Dodds. Living in the city, Robert Johnson went to school and discovered his love for music. Several years later, he returned to the Mississippi Delta to join his mother on the farm. However, Johnson realized that while in the city, he formed a strong connection to the world of music and was more interested in the blues than farming. This would contribute to his decision to leave the farm and dedicating his life to the blues.

            At age 19, Robert Johnson married Virginia Travis but she sadly died a year later during childbirth. In 1931, a year after his wife’s death, he remarried. His second wife was Colleta Craft. She also passed away a few years after marrying Johnson. Robert Johnson continued to practice his guitar skills though and in 1930 encountered bluesman Son House, who commented on how Johnson was skilled at the harmonica. Robert Johnson was more driven to become a guitar player though, in which his skills were still lacking. Over the next few years, Johnson improved his talent with the guitar, impressing Son House when they met again.

            In 1936, Robert Johnson visited record shop owner and talent scout H.C. Speir, who connected him with ARC Records in San Antonio. Johnson then traveled to San Antonio to record his songs. On November 23^rd, he began his recording sessions. These three sessions over five days were the first of two known recording sessions. After San Antonio, Johnson traveled to Dallas, where he recorded the other half of his 29 known recordings. His first 78 record, “Terraplane Blues” and “Kind Hearted Woman Blues,” became moderate regional hits and marked the highlight of his commercial success. These 29 songs also include many alternate takes which resurfaced long after Robert Johnson’s death.

            After these sessions, Robert Johnson returned to the south once again, where he informally played at local bars, clubs, and juke joints. He unfortunately met his untimely demise on August 16^th, 1938. How Robert Johnson died is still shrouded in mystery. Urban myth claims that he was poisoned. However, doctors have consistently pointed to medical complications or preexisting conditions. Common diagnoses point to the fact that Johnson may have suffered from Congenital Syphilis or Marfan Syndrome, which potentially contributed to his death. Robert Johnson’s passing secured him a spot in the 27 club, a group of ground-breaking icons who all have died at the age of 27. This group includes Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and Amy Winehouse. Although there have been several leads and common beliefs throughout the decades, the specifics of Robert Johnson’s death remain unclear.

            Most of the nation was unaware of Johnson’s death until significantly later. When famed music producer John Hammond wanted to feature Johnson in the From Spirituals to Swing concert in New York City in 1938, he sent scouts tasked with finding Robert Johnson. It wasn’t until they reached the Mississippi Delta that Hammond learned of Johnson’s death a few months prior. Still determined to feature Robert Johnson’s one-of-a-kind music, John Hammond played a recording of Johnson to the audience at Carnegie Hall instead. The audience in New York City was beyond amazed by his talent. Sadly, Robert Johnson never lived to see this level of fame.

            After From Spirituals to Swing in New York City, Robert Johnson’s legacy went on to shape the modern world of blues, influencing legendary bluesman such as Muddy Waters. It wasn’t until the 1960s, though when the memory of Robert Johnson would resurface. During the British Invasion of rock and roll in the 60s, many of the young rock stars credited Robert Johnson as their primary source of inspiration, reminding Americans of their musical past. As the youth of the 60s followed rock stars such as Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, and Eric Clapton, many long-lost recordings of Robert Johnson were uncovered for the world to here.

Robert Johnson’s life is of near-mythical status. Not much is truly known about who the musician really was. Of his life, there are only two known photographs and a mere 29 recordings. For the time, his talent was considered revolutionary and straight up unnatural. A common myth is that he sold his soul to the devil in order to gain musical talent. The legend explains how Robert Johnson went to the crossroads of US Highways 49 and 61 at night to seek the devil. Once there, he sold his soul in order to become a great blues guitarist. Although the legend can be disputed, Robert Johnson did succeed in becoming one of the greatest bluesmen to ever live.

Over the course of his lifetime and beyond, Robert Johnson rose to become an icon of American culture. Although his living career was cut short, his legacy lived on past his death, inspiring the entire world of modern music. Without Robert Johnson, the entirety of musical art we take for granted may have never existed. Along with being the King of Delta Blues, Robert Johnson can also be titled the King of All Music.