Crossroad Blues: Top 10 Fascinating and Little-Known Facts About the Legendary Robert Johnson

1. 29 Songs That Rocked the World

Who needs a full-length discography when you've got 29 songs that rock the world? Robert Johnson decided quantity was just a facade for lesser musicians: This blues pioneer only recorded 29 songs, yet his powerful influence reverberates through the likes of Eric Clapton and Keith Richards, even securing his spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Source => rockhall.com

2. Deal with the Devil at the Crossroads

Lending credence to the old adage, "Live fast, die young, and leave a good-sounding corpse," Robert Johnson took the proverbial scenic route on his way to musical immortality, stopping only to pay the Devil his dues at that fabled crossroads in the wild heart of the Mississippi Delta: This guitar-slinging wizard of yore managed to lay down a fearsome legacy in just two short years of recording, compelling the likes of Eric Clapton and Keith Richards to wax lyrical about his unique, Delta blues-inspired style in liner notes and beyond, while his timeless tunes continue to reverberate through the annals of blues and rock history, eternally echoing the genius of the man who sold his soul for a song.
Source => discogs.com

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3. The Man Behind the Magical Strings

Move over, guitar gods of today, there's a legend whose strings were so magical that he allegedly struck a deal with the Devil at the crossroads: Jam-packed into the all-too-short life of bluesman Robert Johnson, a master of emotive storytelling through his haunting vocals and spellbinding guitar skills, lies the unparalleled impact on future rock 'n' roll icons such as Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix.
Source => dclibrary.org

4. The Mystery of the Two Photos

Before selfies and viral photo challenges, there was a time when photo scarcity made a musical legend even more mysterious: Robert Johnson's enigmatic existence was further shrouded by the fact that only two confirmed photographs of him were known until a third surfaced in 2008, though thoroughly debunked, and a contested fourth appeared in 2013, potentially featuring Johnson, his wife, his mistress, and Robert Lockwood Jr., keeping experts in a game of "Is it him or isn't it?".
Source => thecountryblues.com

5. King of the Delta Blues

Before he was the great grandfather of shredding guitars: Robert Johnson was playing to crickets, having sold only a meager ten thousand copies of his most successful record in the late 1930s! However, this "King of the Delta Blues" eventually got his groove on when his tunes caught the ears of white listeners during the 1960s blues revival, inspiring rock legends like Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones to cover his songs.
Source => mississippiencyclopedia.org

6. Heartbreak and Hudson Terraplanes

Who said cars can't mend a broken heart? Ol' Robert Johnson sure knew how to make his Hudson Terraplane sing the blues over a rocky love affair: Turns out, his classic tune, "Terraplane Blues," was inspired by his own car's troubles, which he metaphorically linked to his lover's infidelity. This wasn't his first recorded song, but it became his first 78 rpm record when it was released by Vocalion in March 1937 after selling around 10,000 copies.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Lock & Barrel: 32-20 Blues

Lock, stock, and barrel: Robert Johnson's "32-20 Blues" sassily salutes the .32-20 Winchester ammo used in both handguns and rifles. Recorded in San Antonio in 1936 and released in 1937, this groovy gunpowder anthem has been reloaded by legends like Muddy Waters, Bob Dylan, and Eric Clapton.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. A Deadly Love Affair

While Robert Johnson made a "devilishly" good deal at an alleged Mississippi crossroad, his life took a sinister swig by falling for the potent combination of spirits and forbidden affection: The iconic blues musician met his tragic end by being poisoned as a result of playing footsie with a lady already claimed by another, who served him a side of deadly vengeance with his whiskey.
Source => motherjones.com

9. The Precious 29 and Don Law

Who needs a playlist when you've got the blues: Robert Johnson recorded a mere 29 songs during his two and only sessions with legendary producer Don Law, releasing 10-inch singles between 1937 and 1938 and leaving behind 13 "alternate takes" as precious audio nuggets for the world to cherish.
Source => faroutmagazine.co.uk

10. Not Enough for a Venti Macchiato

If Robert Johnson had a nickel for every song he recorded, he still wouldn't have enough for a venti macchiato at Starbucks: Johnson's monumental influence spanned a legacy of only 29 recorded songs, which inspired countless rock and blues musicians, and can be heard in famous covers like Cream's "Cross Road Blues" and The Rolling Stones' "Love in Vain."
Source => faroutmagazine.co.uk