{"title":"Robert Johnson","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Robert Johnson\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobert Leroy Johnson was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi on May 8, 1911. He spent his life primarily in the Mississippi Delta region working as an itinerant blues musician. He recorded only 29 songs - across two recording sessions held by Don Law for Vocalion Records \/ ARC in November 1936 (Gunter Hotel, San Antonio, Texas) and June 1937 (Brunswick Records studio, Dallas, Texas). Approximately 11 78 RPM singles were released during his lifetime. He died at age 27 on August 16, 1938 near Greenwood, Mississippi of uncertain cause - poisoned whiskey lore (with popular speculation linking it to a jealous husband), syphilis complications, or other unverified causes. His recordings were rediscovered through the 1961 Columbia Records compilation King of the Delta Blues Singers (compiled by John Hammond), which established his foundational role in Delta blues and broader American popular music history. popular lore - the 'crossroads' legend (story that Johnson sold his soul to the devil at a Mississippi crossroads in exchange for his guitar skills) - established his mythological cultural status. His foundational influence on Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, the White Stripes, Jack White, and dozens of other subsequent blues-influenced rock acts has been. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 (inaugural class, posthumously). His foundational influence on blues, rock, and broader popular music history is widely cited as one of the most important contributions to the form.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSound and style\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobert Johnson's sound is foundational to Delta blues as a recognized genre - combining Delta blues, country blues, acoustic blues, fingerpicking blues, and prewar blues with his distinctive vocal delivery (use of falsetto and expressive phrasing), virtuosic acoustic guitar work (use of slide guitar and fingerpicking approaches), and lyrical content addressing relationships, supernatural themes, mortality, and dark themes drawing on African American Southern folk traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDiscography highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing of the Delta Blues Singers (1961, Columbia) - posthumous compilation, foundational\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing of the Delta Blues Singers, Volume II (1970, Columbia) - posthumous compilation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Complete Recordings (1990, Columbia\/Legacy) - 41-track complete compilation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Centennial Collection (2011, Columbia\/Legacy) - 100th anniversary edition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFor collectors\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginal 1930s ARC \/ Vocalion 78 RPM singles of the Robert Johnson catalog are some of the most collected and valuable 78 RPM blues records in popular music history - with 78 RPM single auction records ($80,000+ for individual mint condition pressings).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to start\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eListeners new to Robert Johnson typically start with The Complete Recordings (1990) or King of the Delta Blues Singers (1961). \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/blues-vinyl-records\"\u003eBlues\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"robert-johnson-best-of-vinyl-uk-import","title":"Best of LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eIf details of Robert Johnson’s life are shadowy, there is nothing at all indistinct about his music, which is full of the most elemental power imaginable.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540764504247,"sku":"210000032445","price":19.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/stand-299836-jpg-505x505.webp?v=1781154182"},{"product_id":"robert-johnson-king-of-the-delta-blues-singers-vinyl-180g-bonus-tracks-spanish-import","title":"King of the Delta Blues Singers LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eJohnson was a songwriter of searing depth and a guitar player with a commanding ability that inspired every blues artist that followed in his wake. Several songs from this set were covered throughout the blues-rock explosion of the Sixties by many artists.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540779217079,"sku":"210000100145","price":22.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4438561-3429473.jpg?v=1781154237"},{"product_id":"robert-johnson-king-of-the-delta-blues-singers-vinyl-180g","title":"King of the Delta Blues Singers LP","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"...If you dig contemporary music, especially the blues, give a listen to Robert Johnson, the original master.\" -Jon Waxman\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541044408503,"sku":"210000038126","price":43.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/johnson.jpg?v=1781155200"},{"product_id":"robert-johnson-king-of-the-delta-blues-singers-v-2-vinyl-180g-yellow-import","title":"King of the Delta Blues Singers V.2 LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eExperience the soulful essence of Robert Johnson with this 180g yellow import LP of \"King of the Delta Blues Singers V.2.\" This limited edition release features sixteen tracks showcasing Johnson's profound influence on blues music, including classics like \"Sweet Home Chicago\" and \"I Believe I'll Dust My Broom.\" Pressed on translucent yellow vinyl, this album is a must-have for any serious vinyl collector or blues aficionado, complete with liner notes by esteemed musicologist Pete Welding.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48771586982071,"sku":"210000106555","price":43.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4507035-3563863.jpg?v=1782787588"},{"product_id":"robert-johnson-king-of-the-delta-blues-singers-crystal-clear-vinyl","title":"King of the Delta Blues Singers LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eWaxtime’s crystal-clear 180g reissue of King of the Delta Blues Singers brings Robert Johnson’s landmark recordings back to vinyl with three bonus tracks. The familiar originals; from Cross Road Blues to Travelin Riverside Blues; sit beside the eerie Hellhound On My Trail and the aching Love In Vain Blues, delivered here with the plain, elemental power that made these songs foundational to modern American music.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48860508717239,"sku":"210000106586","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/8435723702245-0-0-200-0-75.jpg?v=1783653964"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.waxtraxrecords.com\/collections\/robert-johnson.oembed","provider":"Wax Trax Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}