Today’s popular music has probably been more influenced by Blues than any other musical genre. It’s clear that Blues has had a lot to do with shaping Rock music today and its roots are evident in the musical styles of many artists such as Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, and BB King, to name just a few. very small example. These same artists have come to influence generation after generation of young musicians and that is why Robert Johnson We Salute You.
The Blues originated in the Mississippi Delta after the Civil War and their origins are a product of slavery and the associated cultural background of African American descent. Perhaps the most influential of the Bluesmen is Robert Johnson, who would have turned 100 in this centennial year. Many artists have paid tribute to Johnson and Eric Clapton once described him as “the greatest blues singer of all time.”
Born in Mississippi a century ago, Robert Johnson has been an inspiration to generations of musicians. Johnson is rumored to have sold his soul to the devil in exchange for the ability to play blues guitar and even his death remains shrouded in mystery. He created a style, which was innovative and truly his own, a style that would form the basis of what we know today as Rock Music.
Throughout his career, he had a surprisingly low production in terms of volume and recorded material, as only twenty-nine songs were recorded, these twenty-nine songs have had and continue to have a great impact on the way many musical genres have evolved and In fact, they continue to evolve. Robert Johnson’s complete recordings are now available as a compilation and, more recently, several tributes to Johnson in his Centennial Year have been released to commemorate the event. It’s hard to imagine how rock music would have evolved without the arrival of those twenty-nine songs. Johnson led a very colorful life and while his final death is still shrouded in mystery, this has only enhanced Johnson’s legend and his alleged pact with the devil.
One of Johnson’s most popular tracks is “Sweet Home Chicago”, a track covered by many Blues artists, including the legendary Freddie King, who joins the list of great Blues legends who have recognized the importance of the contribution of Johnson to music that millions of people now enjoy.