Yesterday would have been the 100th birthday of one of the most notorious figures in American music, Mr. Robert Johnson. Though he never made it big before his untimely death in 1938, at the age of 27, allegedly after drinking whiskey that had been poisoned by the jealous husband of a woman Robert had been flirting with, Johnson penned tunes that would become blues standards, and influence musicians for decades to come.
Countless musicians cite him as an influence, and his songs have been covered by everyone from Cream to The Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin.
Legend has it that Johnson’s talent stemmed from a deal with the devil himself, made at a crossroads outside Cleveland, Mississippi. Whether you believe this or not, there is no doubt the man could play some serious blues.
