Robert Johnson is widely regarded as the greatest blues man to emerge from the Mississippi Delta. Unfortunately, in his short lifetime, he was only able to record 29 tracks. His songs, while short in number, were instrumental for the development of the blues and rock and roll. His style of play was mimicked throughout the Delta after his death. Artists like the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton have cited him as inspiration and play his songs in his honor.
He had mastered the Jew's harp and the harmonica before his marriage at the age of 18. When the blues musician Son House came to Mississippi, Johnson came to admire him. Johnson shadowed House and another blues musician, Willie Brown, following them to every gig. Whenever the musicians put down their instruments Johnson would beg them to let him grab their guitars and pluck out a few tunes himself. Johnson's guitar play could not match his skill with the harmonica and the harp, however. His music tortured House, Brown and their customers so much that they would have to grab the guitar from his hands.
The Deep South offered little more to African Americans in the 1930's than manual farm labor. Johnson refused to work on the plantations. The period in his life that ensued is the most vague of them all. He disappeared from Robinsonville, Mississippi and eventually wandered back to his home town. In Hazelhurst, he remarried, bounced from job to job, and supposedly studied guitar play from Ike Zinnerman.
When Robert Johnson returned to Robinsonville he dazzled Son House and audiences with his extraordinary music. Rumors circulated that Johnson had struck a deal with the Devil at the Crossroads who had taught him his art in exchange for his soul. Johnson deserted his wife and played stints all over America. The rumors followed him everywhere and his song lyrics and incredible skill seemed to confirm beliefs. Johnson died in 1938, a poisoned bottle of whiskey weakened his health enough to welcome pneumonia.