Robert Johnson
The life of Robert Johnson, one of the most influential early blues artists, in shrouded by vague details and encompassed in mystery. His emotion filled playing and singing blends to form some of the most moving, original blues music ever produced. Ironically, despite being one of the top influences to blues music, little is known about the shy, mild mannered bluesman. "Almost nothing, is known about his life... he is only a name on a few recordings." Where did he come from? Who was Johnson's family. Who inspired Robert to play the blues and who influenced his music? Who exactly was Robert Johnson? Only the vague recollections of his friends and family link us to the mysterious life of Robert Johnson. From these accounts the story of Robert Johnson is brought to life, and the events which fueled his powerful music are pieced together. Robert Johnson was born on May eighth, 1911, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. Robert was the eleventh child born to Mrs. Julia Dodds. Robert's mother described little Robert as a playful little boy, who "Always used to be listenin, listenin to the wind or the chickens cluckin in the backyard or me, when I'd be singin round the
Like a plague destroyed the hopes, and beliefs of the black community. Anyone that had a guitar, little Robert would follow off according to his mother. Johnson's mother heard word of the incident and came to the bed in which Robert lay and recalls hearing him say, "I yo child now, mama, and the Lord's. It was a common belief held by many that supernatural forces were present. Robert Johnson records rest upon the record selves with the likes of several other famous blues artist of the time, Charlie Patton, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Skip James, Muddy Waters, Lonnie Johnson, Tommy Johnson, and Blind Willie McTell, among several others. " (Guralnick, 18)Son House thoroughly believed Robert Johnson had done the same. This coincides with accounts from Robert's friends Johnny Shines and Robert Lockwood, both of whom describe Johnson as being severely jealous over his technique, never quite willing to face an audience and allow them to view the magic of his fingers producing the music. All that is certain, is that upon his return, Johnson had become one of the most skilled musicians to have ever played.
Common topics in this essay:
Robert Johnson,
Little Robert,
Son House,
Delta Robert,
McTell Due,
Johnny Shines,
African Americans,
Robert Robert,
Shines Finn,
Robert Lockwood,
robert johnson,
son house,
johnson robert,
blues artists,
son house recalls,
little boy,
1999 jan,
blues artist,
charlie patton,
house recalls,
johnny shines,
life robert johnson,
jan 23 1999,
13 robert johnson,
guralnick 15 son,
|
Acceptance Essays
