There's a legend about Robert Johnson (famous blues singer) trying to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for success as a musician. Is there any truth to this? Most of these urban legends are so full of it. I know he sung about voodooish stuff like that in some of his songs, but not all songs are autobiographical.
2006-06-14 16:00:23 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
Yeah I know. I listened to Crossroad Blues, and you just wonder if he actually means it. I know some blues singers were actually involved with voodoo, but a lot of blues lyrics are ironic, cheeky and humorous. And maybe if he did really did try selling his soul to the devil and he believed it, it was probably just a placebo kind of effect, because like tonalc1 said he had the talent to begin with. All the same, it's a fun and exciting legend.
2006-06-14 16:16:43 · update #1
Only Robert Johnson and the devil know for sure. His friend Willy Brown said the story was true, but who knows for sure.
You search for both of their names together and you'll find some great old stories, like this one:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/delta/blues/people/robert_johnson.htm
However, his telling of the event in "Crossroad Blues" can only leave you wondering where the influence for the song came from.
2006-06-14 16:03:19 · answer #1 · answered by blewz4u 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The story is that he actually did sell his soul.
This legend is based, in part, on Johnson’s recording of Crossroads Blues, which tells the story of him standing at the crossroads trying to flag a ride. In Deep South mythology, one went to a crossroads at night if they wanted to make a deal with the Devil.
The real story is probably the size of Johnson’s hands. He had large hands with long fingers, and this was how he was able to play such strange and innovative chords and notes.
2006-06-14 16:04:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's what the legend is, but I think he is supposed to have sold his soul. He played guitar rather poorly, left the audition, came back the next day playing like a god. That's the story. I heard it from people who heard it from people who where there, being from the Mississippi Delta and all. Grew up there, listened to Son Thomas play for whiskey on a porch.
2006-06-14 16:06:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agreed...Robert Johnson and the devil are the only ones who could know for certain...Unless you know someone who can contact the dead...that legend is going to stay a legend...
2006-06-14 16:05:25 · answer #4 · answered by Colini 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what I've read, he got put down early by some of his heroes so he went off and PRACTICED HIS *** OFF and fulfilled his born talent
2006-06-14 16:18:34 · answer #5 · answered by Ken H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honey, he wouldn't have been the first or the last.
Like my Sweetie says, "If you life your life like there's no heaven, you had better be right."
-- Jessica
2006-06-19 20:52:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋