The Legend of Robert Johnson

A Short Biography and Theory of the Miraculous Blues Guitarist

Sep 17, 2009

Robert Johnson nurtured blues mythology. His tale has inspired generations of musicians. He was named #5 of Rolling Stone's "Top 100 Guitarists of All Time"

Robert Johnson is well regarded as perhaps the 'definitive' blues legend. Details of his life are twirled with rumour, lies, tall tales and sinful mystery. From myths of dancing and dealing with the devil, to stories of aldulturous and amoral relationships with women, Johnson had it all, he was the caricature on which any serious blues icon had to base himself.

However other that just being a figure bathed in shrouded mystery, Johnson was a stunning guitarist and musician. He combined his wonderful wail, with slick telling lyrics and sublime guitar ability. Simply he inspired a generation, from Clapton, to Jimi, to Stevie Ray, every modern great would surely state Johnson as an inspiration. He was ranked #5 in Rolling Stones "Top 100 Guitarists of All Time"

Johnson's life is mainly constructed from tales of friends and admirers. Until a year ago there were only 2 known photographs of him alive, and even these are of questionable origin. The November 2008 issue of ‘Vanity Fair’ published a supposed newly unearthed third photo, which is once again slightly dubious. However this does go to show how much interest Johnson still holds in popular culture. Martin Scorsese wonderfully famously stated that "The thing about Robert Johnson was that he only existed on his records. He was pure legend."

Robert Johnson’s Origins

Robert Johnson was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. This fact is fairly well established however his birthdate is of debate (Graves, 2008). He was born on May the 8th in either 1911 or 1912. Through school he was noted as being an already gifted harmonica player, however once again further detail or confirmation of fact is dubious.

In February 1929 Johnson married the 16 year old Virginia Travis. However the marriage did not last long as she passed during childbirth. After this tales of Johnson begin to delve darker. He began to pursue the blues musician Son House and Wille Brown, trying and failing to imitate the music he heard on guitar. He was booed from different stages and could not stand near the shadow of the great early blues musicians.

Robert Johnson’s Visit to the Crossroads

After struggling with audiences and his music, according to the tale of Son House, Johnson disappeared for several months (some reports state weeks, some even years). This journey Johnson made has become the foundation of legend which as become the backbone of the blues mythology.

Near midnight Johnson took his guitar to a crossroad near Dockery Plantation, Mississippi. He was met by a large frightening figure (interpreted as the Devil) who picked up Johnson’s guitar and tuned it to perfect pitch. After this he played a few songs through a cackled and powered throat, then returned it back to Johnson. After this Johnson aquired the mastery of guitar which he most idolised. He suddenly became able not only to play the songs he had so longed for, but he could surpass them in his own unique style. However, as price for this ‘gift’ the devil took away Johnson’s soul and owning his afterlife.

The tale has been told in many differing forms. Placing the area of the meeting, the time of the meeting and the events that occurred in a hazey light. However the fact remains that Johnson suddenly, near miraculously became a master of the guitar. Another version of the tale states that Johnson supposedly met the Devil in a graveyard rather than the Crossroads. However this can be partially backed up by blues scholar Bruce Conforth, who writes that Johnson did in fact spend nights playing the blues in a graveyard, for the simple reason that it was quiet and empty.

However this still not shed light on the fact that Johnson became such a master in such a short period. Although repetitively playing in a graveyard, would surely act to inspire a musician and surely push them to learn quickly, they would not develop so “sinfully” quickly as Johnson appeared to. One perhaps more scientific suggestion could be that Robert Johnson was gifted with the ability of perfect pitch.

Did Robert Johnson Have Perfect Pitch?

The ability of perfect pitch (described in more detail in this article) allows a musician to memorize exact tones and musical notes without reference. For example the famed composer of the 20th century Olivier Messiaen (who is known to have had perfect pitch) was shown to learn the complex Fantasia in C minor by Bachto an ‘impressive standard’ within a week of first learning to play the organ (Hill & Simeone, 2005). This ability may well have also helped other great musicians who were shown to have perfect pitch (from Mozart to Jimi Hendrix) to develop much quicker than those without.

Therefore is it not plausible that Johnson may well have had perfect pitch and, like so many other facts about his life, it was never documented? Perhaps Johnson’s swift mastery of the guitar was brought about, not because of the Devil, but because of a rare gift.

Johnson’s Legacy

However it is true that the myth that surrounds Johnson is perhaps more compelling and fascinating than the scientific notion of perfect pitch. Johnson gave music a legend, a tale which will entice budding young musicians for generations. He is a mythological figure, and like the magic which he produced, it is perhaps so much more beautiful when it is a mystery.

The copyright of the article The Legend of Robert Johnson in Blues Music is owned by Michael Catley. Permission to republish The Legend of Robert Johnson in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.