Robert Johnson

Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938) is among the most famous Delta Blues musicians and arguably the most influential. He is an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Considered by some to be the "Grandfather of Rock-and-Roll," his vocal phrasing, original songs, and guitar style influenced a range of musicians, including Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, U2, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton, who called Johnson "the most important blues musician who ever lived."

Of all the great blues musicians, Johnson was probably the most obscure. All that is known of him for certain is that he recorded 29 songs; he died young (murdered); and he was considered one of the greatest bluesmen of the Mississippi Delta.

His guitar playing was so extraordinary that the tale is told that he sold his soul to the Devil at the ‘crossroads’ in exchange for mastery of the blues. The most popular location of that crossroads is the junction of Highways 61 and 49 in Clarksdale, Mississippi.  This tale is one that contributed to Highway 61 becoming known as 'The Blues Highway'.

Alan Greenburg wrote the play 'Love In Vain: A Vision of Robert Johnson'.  Director Martin Scorsese wrote the foreword, and said, "The thing about Robert Johnson was that he only existed on his records.  He was pure legend."

My company Crossroads Sign sells authentic route 61 highway marker signs.