Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson is a fundamental figure in the history of blues, especially in the Delta style, and his legacy endures through his recordings from 1936 and 1937. Although his recording career was brief, spanning only seven months, his influence has been immense, shaping generations of musicians. Johnson stood out for his ability to combine his singing, his guitar skills, and his talent as a songwriter, creating a sound that resonated deeply in later music. He is often considered a pioneer, even described as 'the first rock star,' though he received little recognition or commercial success during his lifetime.

Johnson’s life was marked by uncertainty and mystery. As a traveling performer, he played on street corners, juke joints, and local dances, and he only had two recording sessions, both produced by Don Law, one in San Antonio and the other in Dallas. These sessions yielded 29 songs, many of which were released as 78 rpm singles between 1937 and 1938. However, outside of his music, little was known about his life in the Mississippi Delta musical circuit, which has given rise to numerous legends, including the famous story that he sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads in exchange for his musical talent.