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Robert Johnson forever. music changed that songs 29 forever. music recorded changed that songs He 29 recorded He Life Life & & Legacy Legacy Tour The Road to Fame A Date with Destiny The Road to Fame A Date with Destiny Tour Early Life and Infl uences In July 1938, Johnson arrived in Greenwood, Missis- Early Life and Infl uences In July 1938, Johnson arrived in Greenwood, Missis- Robert Johnson was born in Hazlehurst, Copiah sippi, to perform at a juke joint at the intersection of Robert Johnson was born in Hazlehurst, Copiah sippi, to perform at a juke joint at the intersection of County, Mississippi, on May 8, 1911, to Julia Dodds Highways 82 and 49E. The juke joint was referred to County, Mississippi, on May 8, 1911, to Julia Dodds Highways 82 and 49E. The juke joint was referred to and Noah Johnson. Around 1918 they landed in the by locals as “Three Forks.” Johnson’s ongoing affair and Noah Johnson. Around 1918 they landed in the by locals as “Three Forks.” Johnson’s ongoing affair cotton-growing community of Robinsonville, with the wife of the man who ran the juke joint proved cotton-growing community of Robinsonville, with the wife of the man who ran the juke joint proved Mississippi, about thirty miles south of Memphis. to be his undoing. It is alleged that Johnson accepted Mississippi, about thirty miles south of Memphis. to be his undoing. It is alleged that Johnson accepted a drink that was sent to him, and he soon became ill a drink that was sent to him, and he soon became ill As a teenager, Johnson became interested in music and was no longer able to perform. As a teenager, Johnson became interested in music and was no longer able to perform. and began playing the harmonica. Later, he sought out and began playing the harmonica. Later, he sought out older musicians who could teach him the rudiments Early the next morning he was transported to his older musicians who could teach him the rudiments Early the next morning he was transported to his of guitar. Against his family’s wishes, he followed room in the Baptist Town section of Greenwood. of guitar. Against his family’s wishes, he followed room in the Baptist Town section of Greenwood. local musicians Willie Brown, Son House and There Johnson lingered for a number of weeks before local musicians Willie Brown, Son House and There Johnson lingered for a number of weeks before Charley Patton to parties, fi sh fries, and juke joints being moved to a tenant’s home on the Star of the Charley Patton to parties, fi sh fries, and juke joints being moved to a tenant’s home on the Star of the around Robinsonville. West Plantation. Johnson succumbed on Tuesday, around Robinsonville. West Plantation. Johnson succumbed on Tuesday, August 16,1938. He was twenty-seven years old. August 16,1938. He was twenty-seven years old. Brown, House, and Patton would often belittle Brown, House, and Patton would often belittle Johnson Johnson Johnson’s inferior musical skills. More importantly, Johnson’s inferior musical skills. More importantly, Robert the raw intensity of House’s music greatly infl uenced Three Gravesites the raw intensity of House’s music greatly infl uenced Three Gravesites Robert Johnson’s style and repertoire. Over the years, three gravesites have been identifi ed Johnson’s style and repertoire. Over the years, three gravesites have been identifi ed for the bluesman. The most likely one, supported for the bluesman. The most likely one, supported by an eye-witness account, is the Little Zion by an eye-witness account, is the Little Zion Increased Popularity Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery about two Increased Popularity Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery about two In the early 1930s, Johnson left Robinsonville to miles north of Greenwood. According to witness In the early 1930s, Johnson left Robinsonville to miles north of Greenwood. According to witness return to Hazlehurst, where he met Ike Zinermon, Rose Eskridge, Johnson was buried in a simple return to Hazlehurst, where he met Ike Zinermon, Rose Eskridge, Johnson was buried in a simple who became his musical coach and mentor. pine box provided by Lefl ore County. Historian who became his musical coach and mentor. pine box provided by Lefl ore County. Historian Stephen LaVere erected a marker there in 2002. Stephen LaVere erected a marker there in 2002. Johnson’s musical abilities blossomed under Johnson’s musical abilities blossomed under Zinermon’s tutelage, and he incorporated much of Ike’s Zinermon’s tutelage, and he incorporated much of Ike’s music and style into his own. When Johnson returned music and style into his own. When Johnson returned to Robinsonville, Son House and Willie Brown were to Robinsonville, Son House and Willie Brown were astounded at the artistic development of his music. astounded at the artistic development of his music. Over the next several years, as he performed at juke Over the next several years, as he performed at juke joints throughout the Mississippi and Arkansas Deltas, joints throughout the Mississippi and Arkansas Deltas, Johnson’s popularity spread to western Tennessee and Johnson’s popularity spread to western Tennessee and southern Mississippi. southern Mississippi. Recording Sessions Recording Sessions In November 1936, the American Record Company In November 1936, the American Record Company took Johnson to San Antonio, Texas, to record some CONVENTIONtook Johnson to San Antonio, AND Texas, to record VISITORSsome BUREAU CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU of his songs. This session produced his most famous 662-453-9197of his songs. This session • produced www.visitgreenwood.com his most famous 662-453-9197 • www.visitgreenwood.com song, “Terraplane Blues.” The next June he was called 225 Howardsong, Street “Terraplane Blues.” The • next JuneGreenwood, he was called MS 38930 225 Howard Street • Greenwood, MS 38930 back to Texas where he recorded the masterpiece 662-453-9197back to Texas where he• recorded visitgreenwood.com the masterpiece 662-453-9197 • visitgreenwoodms.com “Hell Hound On My Trail.” A total of twenty-nine All information“Hell Hound On My Trail.” Ais total ofcurrent twenty-nine as of 4.27.16 All information is current as of 8.1.17 and subject to change without notice. and subject to change without notice. compositions were recorded in fi ve sessions. The compositions were recorded in fi ve sessions. The Vocalion label released twelve of Johnson’s songs. Originally located in 1973, Mount Zion M.B. Vocalion label released twelve of Johnson’s songs. Originally located in 1973, Mount Zion M.B. Church Cemetery near Morgan City is the site Church Cemetery near Morgan City is the site of the second effort to honor Robert Johnson. of the second effort to honor Robert Johnson. Below are those compositions in the order they were Below are those compositions in the order they were A one-ton obelisk was placed here in 1991 A one-ton obelisk was placed here in 1991 recorded: recorded: by Columbia Records. by Columbia Records. England. in youth a as him inspired that music England. in youth a as him inspired that 1. 1. music the for respect his pay to grave Johnson’s the for respect his pay to grave Johnson’s visited Plant Robert 2009, of Fall the In visited Plant Robert 2009, of Fall the In know? know? you Did you Did Payne Chapel M.B. Church at Quito is home to Payne Chapel M.B. Church at Quito is home to Johnson’s fi rst grave marker, placed in 1990 by Johnson’s fi rst grave marker, placed in 1990 by 2. an Atlanta rock band. 2. an Atlanta rock band. Roll.” and Rock of “Grandfather Roll.” and Rock of “Grandfather the him dubbed have and the him dubbed have and devotees his among are others countless devotees his and among are others countless •Kind Hearted Woman Blues • I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom •Kind Hearted Woman Blues • I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom and Stones, Rolling The Zeppelin, Led Clapton, Stones, Rolling The Eric Zeppelin, Led Clapton, • Sweet Home Chicago • Ramblin’ On My Mind • Sweet Home Chicago • Ramblin’ On My Mind Eric forever. music of course the changed that forever. music of songs course the changed that songs • When You Got A Good Friend • Come On In My Kitchen • When You Got A Good Friend • Come On In My Kitchen twenty-nine wrote and years twenty-seven twenty-nine wrote and years • Terraplane Blues • Phonograph Blues • 32-20 Blues • Terraplane Blues • Phonograph Blues • 32-20 Blues twenty-seven lived Johnson Robert Bluesman lived Johnson Robert • They’re Red Hot • Dead Shrimp Blues • Cross Road Blues • They’re Red Hot • Dead Shrimp Blues • Cross Road Blues Bluesman • Walkin’ Blues • Last Fair Deal Gone Down • Preachin’ • Walkin’ Blues • Last Fair Deal Gone Down • Preachin’ instrument. the on ability instrument. the on ability unearthly an him giving guitar, his tuned unearthly an him giving guitar, his Blues (Up Jumped The Devil) • If I Had Possession Over Blues (Up Jumped The Devil) • If I Had Possession Over tuned devil the exchange, In soul. mortal his to devil the exchange, In soul. mortal his Judgment Day • Stones In My Passway • I’m a Steady Judgment Day • Stones In My Passway • I’m a Steady to claim lay to Satan upon called and claim lay to Satan upon called Rollin’ Man • From Four Until Late • Hell Hound On My Rollin’ Man • From Four Until Late • Hell Hound On My and midnight, of stroke the at crossroads a to midnight, of stroke the at crossroads a Trail • Little Queen Of Spades • Malted Milk • Drunken After years of uncertainty, Robert Johnson’s Trail • Little Queen Of Spades • Malted Milk • Drunken After years of uncertainty, Robert Johnson’s to walked Johnson Robert legend, to walked According Johnson Robert legend, to Hearted Man • Me And The Devil Blues • Stop Breakin’ fi nal resting place at Little Zion M.B.
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