Robert Johnson

Scott Whitby, 2021

Robert Johnson was an iconic blues guitarist who was active in the mid 1930s. While he only recorded music during a seven month period, his style forever influenced more prolific guitarists for decades. He is said to be “the first ever rock star” by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and, according to Eric Clapton, the most important blues musician to have ever lived.

Lore has it that Robert Johnson was an ordinary guitarist, was not seen for two years, then returned as a master guitarist. At some point he wrote a song called Crossroads. The lyrics say “I believe to my soul now, po’ Bob is sinking’ down…I got the crossroad blues this mornin’, Lord, baby I’m sinking’ down”. As we do, this became interpreted that Robert Johnson went to the crossroad, met the Devil (who was disguised as a black man), and sold his soul to become a master guitarist. He died at age 29, probably before this story circulated widely.

As a student guitarist, I have always thought it unfair to him to suggest he did anything other than practice more than the average student to accomplish his skills. I rewrote the story below, in call-and-response blues tradition, to give credit where credit is due.

Said he went down to the crossroad, met the devil and sold his soul

Said he went down to the crossroad, met the devil and sold his soul

Came back and played the guitar

Played it like no one had ever played before

Said it was a big ol' black man waiting at the crossroad

Said it was a big ol' black man waiting at the crossroad

Devil ain't no black man

He's red and ugly we all know

Ain't no devil at no crossroad…I think it must have been our Christ

Ain't no devil at no crossroad…I think it must have been our Christ

Robert Johnson didn’t make no deal

He went there and got the Lord’s advice

The ol’ devil can't play the guitar…he can’t play and he can't even sing

The ol’ devil can't play the guitar…he can’t play and he can't even sing

God's Angels taught Robert Johnson

jus’ how to make that guitar ring

He didn't learn it from the devil and he didn’t make no deal

He didn't learn it from the devil and he didn’t make no deal

God himself told Robert Johnson

to make the blues for us to feel