Browsing: Robert Johnson

Standing alone in front of a 1931 National steel guitar, a single-stringed diddley bow, an African banjo, and a standard acoustic guitar, he systematically picked each up again and again through two one-hour sets that transported an audience.

If Robert Johnson had lived long enough to play Carnegie Hall, renowned musicologist Scott Ainslie thinks we would have had rock and roll 10 years earlier than we did.

Leah Seator, now editor of The Orcadian (oldest newspaper in Orkney, Scotland), gives background to celebration of the songs of Delta blues legend Robert Johnson.

Keith Richards on the cover of ‘Robert Johnson The Complete Recordings’ states flatly, “You want to know how good the blues can get? Well, this is it.”

“It’s pretty deep — one I couldn’t have sung as a younger man.” – Steve Hill

“I believe music is a beautiful gift, and we can’t live without this sacred gift. It’s the medicine for all diseases.” – Prakash Slim

“There are differences in blues and Nepali music but there are many similarities: Economic depression, discrimination, and social issues remain the same.” – Prakash Slim

Other artists include Robert Johnson, Elton John, Neil Young, Bo Diddley, Derek & the Dominos, and The Allman Brothers

Editorial note: In honor of Amy Winehouse’s birthday, we’ve shared this article originally published in 2011.

This intimate memoir by blues legend Robert Johnson’s stepsister includes new details about his family, music, influences, tragic death, and musical afterlife.