Robert Johnson..did he sell his soul at the crossroads?

Question

Or is he simply one of the greatest performers in history?

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Answer 1

Legend has it. A great movie based on Robert Johnson and the crossroads where this supposedly happened
is "Crossroads" with Ralph Macchio. The soundtrack music is by people like Steve Vai and Ry Cooder. Great music throughout! Steve Vai plays the devil in the movie.
Personally I am not a big fan of his singing and playing but he did write a lot of blues classics. His songs were covered by Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, and a host of others. Probably every body who plays or sings blues has a few Johnson songs in their repertoire.

Answer 2

No, that was Tommy Johnson, as the legend goes.

What Robert Johnson did was go away for two years and practice very hard.

And the song "Crossroads" means at a crossroads in his life. "I begged and hollered for mercy, Lord won't you lift me please?" hardly sounds like selling one's soul to the devil.

A much misunderstood yet simple song. Perhaps because Johnson wrote so many other songs about being chased by the devil, I don't know.

A very common cliché among many fundamentalist Christians here is "The closer you get to the Lord, the more the Devil tries to tempt you". The whole thing seems pointless to this atheist, but fine if they think that.

Answer 3

No particular crossroads is pronounced even in spite of the incontrovertible fact that there are vacationer factors of interest in Clarksdale, MS, and Memphis, TN, that declare to be the the area on which Robert met the devil. a lot greater info on Wikipedia. some day, somebody will look on Wikipedia on their very own.

Answer 4

Well, everyone has given you your answer (and a half). But it's a good one to ponder. Would you sell your soul to the devil and in return play like one of the all-time greats? Is it really possible to be as good as you want to be by sheer effort and determination? Or, can one be tempted to "Cut the line" and wake up one say with hands that can do wonders, and in retrun, know that your soul will go to the devil?

...I'm not big on Heaven, Hell, the Devil and all that, but philisophically, it's a fun one to ponder if you are a guitarist.

Kevin Chisholm - American Guitarist

Answer 5

Martin and Corrosion beat me to the punch.

It was Tommy Johnson. Robert just gets the credit. ROBERT'S song of the crossraods is about not being able to get a ride.

Answer 6

Although he wasn't able to record more, the legend is that he did sell his soul to the Devil. Clapton does a great deal of explaining on the DVD portion of "Atribute to Robert J." The music is great too.

Answer 7

This question was just asked recently-check resolved questions.

Short & Sweet - no!
Robert Johnson gets the press for some reason, but it was Tommy Johnson.

Answer 8

Yes, according to legend. True or False, we'll never know. But doesn't it make a great legend! And you are right, his music is some of the greatest of all times; and still covered often by other great musicians.

Answer 9

neither the Blues are based on the musicians life's experiences , Crossroads about a time when he was confused and didn't know what path he should Live His life by

Answer 10

ROCCO: i didnt give you the thumb-down. however, i think you're an idiot.

my playing has reached it's pinnacle, without lessons.
i wonder what a soul is going for these days.....