The life and legacy of blues musician Robert Johnson are shrouded in mystery and legend. Born in 1911, Johnson was a poor black musician who allegedly made a pact with the devil at a crossroads to become the best guitarist in the world. He recorded 29 songs in 1936, but his life was cut short when he died at 27 under unknown circumstances. Many believe he was poisoned, while others think he may have been murdered.
Johnson's death certificate lists no cause of death, fueling speculation about his demise. Some believe he was buried in a mass grave, while others claim he was buried in one of three different locations, each with its own tombstone.
The mystery surrounding Johnson's guitar is also a topic of discussion. Some believe he played a Gibson L1, while others think it was a Kalamazoo KG-14. According to legend, the devil lent Johnson a guitar in exchange for his soul, and once Johnson died, the guitar disappeared.
Musicologists have also questioned the authenticity of Johnson's recordings, suggesting that they may have been sped up to make him sound more impressive. Despite the controversy, Johnson's music has had a lasting impact on the world of blues and rock.
The legend of a 30th song, allegedly kept by the devil, has also been circulating among music enthusiasts. Some believe that this song was never recorded, while others think it may be hidden on an old 78 rpm record, waiting to be discovered.
1. Robert Johnson was a blues musician who played in Robinson City in 1931.
2. Johnson's idol, Son House, told him he didn't know how to play the guitar and ridiculed him.
3. Johnson left the city and didn't come back for two years.
4. In 1933, Johnson returned and played like a god, impressing Son House.
5. Robert Johnson made a pact with the devil to become the best guitarist in the world.
6. Johnson recorded 29 songs, but it wasn't until the 1960s that he became well-known.
7. Johnson's music was a source of inspiration for Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix.
8. Johnson became the best guitarist in the world, but at what cost is unknown.
9. Johnson died on August 16, 1938, at the age of 27.
10. The cause of Johnson's death is unknown, and his death certificate confirms that there is no established cause.
11. Johnson was buried in an unnamed tomb in the cemetery of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Greenwood, Mississippi.
12. There are three graves claimed to be Johnson's, but the true location of his burial remains a mystery.
13. Johnson's guitar is also a mystery, with some claiming it was a Gibson L1 and others claiming it was a Kalamazoo.
14. Some musicologists think that Johnson's recordings were accelerated, which could have been done deliberately or accidentally.
15. Johnson's music revolutionized the world of music at the time with his 29 songs.
16. There is a legend that Johnson had a 30th song, but the devil kept it to himself.
17. Some claim that Johnson's 30th song was performed but not recorded, while others believe it was recorded but lost.