Robert Johnson

By Crusader1307

  An old and ''well documented'' Urban Legend – the Tale of Master Bluesman Robert Johnson was a basis for the Classic 1980s American Country Blues-Rock Song ''The Devil Went Down To Georgia'', by The Charlie Daniels Band. Johnson's story is provoking...if true. He was born in The US State of Mississippi in 1911. ''Blues'' was a piece of Life among African-American Singers in that Era, with it's ''earthy and sorrowful'' tones and lyrics becoming entwined in American Culture (still). Many ''Greats'' (both Men and Women) were born out of the Musical genre. Sadly, few experienced their celebrity during their lifetime. Robert Johnson was one. Seen (now) as a ''Master of The Delta Blues Guitar'', try as He might, He just couldn't get the full recognition that would be afforded Him many years after His death. Johnson was most known for 29 Songs recorded in an improvised Recording Studio – the only example of His ''genius''. This was ''discovered'' in 1960 by Musical Historians. Johnson's name is often mentioned in The Genre History as a ''Master''. But His Legend is well known among many Musicians and others. It involved Robert becoming well known in His Life – by making a ''Pact with The Devil''. It seemed that Johnson just couldn't get ''the right'' sound on His Guitar. Although Robert was ''known'', He just wasn't that popular. He was desperate.

Robert sought help from the unlikely source of a ''Folk Magic'' Practitioner (Voodoo). He was told to take His Guitar (and Himself) to the intersection (then rural) crossroads of Interstate 61 and 49. He was to do so ''at Midnight''. He was to ''stand in the very center of the crossroads and begin to play His Guitar''. Robert did so. At the appointed hour, a ''Tall Dark Figure'' appeared and approached Robert. ''He'' asked for His Guitar and began to tune it. Playing the instrument, it began to give off a ''different sound'' (Chord). Giving it back to Robert, The ''Figure'' told Him to ''play it''. Robert instantly knew that this new ''sound'' would be different. The Figure then vanished.

Robert would go on to record His 29 Hit Songs, but would never achieve the fame and fortune He so craved, in life. As stated, it would be nearly 30 years after His death that His Celebrity came into being. Now as far as Legends, go – many have plausible explanations for Robert's ''lack of fame'' and that the ''Devil Story'' was simply a cheap way of ''getting attention''. The ''Devil'' is often credited as being a well known Bluesman who simply showed Johnson a ''newer method'' of playing Chords to enhance His sound. But The Legend became popular Myth, even having the nearby Township of Clarksdale, Mississippi ''erect'' a curious Monument at the intersection of The State Highways. In the intersection of the two is a Stone Pillar with two metal sculptures of Blues Guitars – crossed. A small plaque has a brief story of The Legend of Johnson and ''what happened'' at the spot. More curious? Is that when Johnson died in 1938, no one is quite sure just ''where'' He is buried. Althougha small stone was eventually erected (Quinto, Mississippi), no one is really buried there. Perhaps ''Old Scratch'' came to claim His ''prize''. After all, The Devil did fulfill Johnson's request – only not the way he wished.