Robert Johnson

The Profile

American Delta blues singer, guitarist and songwriter (born 1911, died 1938). He recorded 29 songs in 1936–1937 and became one of the most influential figures in blues and rock.

Born May 8, 1911 in Hazlehurst, Mississippi; died August 16, 1938 near Greenwood, Mississippi at age 27. Recorded 29 songs in 1936–1937; posthumously compiled on Columbia’s 1961 King of the Delta Blues Singers after John Hammond’s advocacy. His music profoundly influenced artists such as Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, and the Rolling Stones. Only two known photographs of him are widely accepted.

Four DeBaser reviews frame Robert Johnson as a cornerstone of Delta blues and rock’s mythology. They revisit his 29 recordings, the 1961 Columbia release spurred by John Hammond, and his vast influence on later artists. Themes include the crossroads legend, stark emotional power, and caution about over‑clean remasters. Expect reverence, poetry, and a touch of devilish lore.