Or that he is considered the father of blues. I read about him some time back, his life was interesting, mysterious and very much the blues ethos, same with Led Belly. Interesting side note, Cleoma Breux was my great, great aunt, not blues, Cajun, but still very cool.
I grew up on Rolling Stones, Cream, Them, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Canned Heat, etc. Then I found out where a lot of their songs came from.. struggling Black blues musicians with cheap guitars in the 30s and 40s.. 😭😩 May they have glory in heaven!
good point. about the cheap guitars. those $ 35,000 vintage guitars the hedge fund guys buy (and can hardly play) are not the instruments guys like robert johnson played. robert johnson was broke. the guitar he is holding in the famous photograph belonged to the recording studio. there were times when white bullies destroyed his guitars because he was a black man.
@@annemcnamara997anyone who plays the blues really should appreciate this fact. the genre was born out of both the strife and beauty of African American culture at the time. and to be a true blues musician I think you have to acknowledge the humanity and soul brought by this. For example, while I think Rory Gallagher was technically a blues rock musician due to some of the tempos he played at, he understood where the blues came from and that's why even though he mainly played a stratocaster on stage he was a player of cheap guitars as well since that's what his hero's played. It is definitely a genre that requires a genuine soul and an empathy for those who struggle but choose to strive for a better life anyways. This makes the blues always culturally relevant in some form as while many things might have changed, the problems have not gone away for society, they have only changed appearance. Having a ridiculously unneeded les paul from whenever the "golden years" were meant to be wont make that change. hell for a long time no one valued guitars like Les Pauls highly until someone famous played them and then there was enough demand that vintage guitar nonsense was profitable.
You know if you break the "Legend" down you will find that other musical influences other than poor black musicians with cheap guitars. If I am not mistaken Robert Johnson was a joke. He left for a time and came back and blew them all away. Claimed he sold his soul to the devil at what is now 49 and 61 in Clarksdale Ms. In actuality according to a Guitar Magazine article maybe 15 years ago he went to Arkansas and learned how to play. No one knows from who or where at but the Legend was born. And yes this is the basis of Rock and Roll. As for the actual crossroads. 61 is a limited access 4 lane median devided hwy. But that whole region from Yazoo City where 49 splits to 49W and 49E and reconnects south of Clarksdale is strange feeling. 6 pm and getting on 61N hardly any traffic. Hell 49W seems out of time and space for that area. I think these blues musicians picked up on that. It a good place to take a road trip and so much musical history but there is a wierd feeling and probably one of the few routes east of I35 you can run with your brightlights for miles without having to dim them for oncoming traffic.
Well this is were it comes from unfortunately if it wasn't for slavery we would not have rock and roll in America sad but true that's where it came from the first time Eric Clapton heard this and they are overseas in Europe or Britain they have lost it they couldn't believe that they never heard music like this before and their lives and that's when rock and roll started
Just came here from Wendigoon, it really does sound like a grandfather of rock and roll. Can you imagine how Robert Johnson might react if you were to tell him that he was the progenitor for one of the most massive genres of music ever!?
@asper the guy himself said he sold his soul to the devil and even said exactly where lol. That is probably why people think that...because he said it. Maybe he was just lying but he said it.
@asper I agree that this is the most likely scenario. I was just pointing out that he did indeed say it. The OP didn't seem to know this. Although, Bob Dylan claimed to sell his soul at the same crossroads.. It is very peculiar at the least.
@asper nope,with years I understand,but no with a couple of months. he was trash people said it was a terrible guitarist he would never accomplish or get anywhere.
This is such a wild tune. The lack of accompaniment gives it an ethereal feel, the rhythm/tempo kind of slips and slides around. The older I get the better I appreciate it
They say his real crossroads began when he lost his wife in child birth. He was known as an unskilled guitar player until he left one day, only to return 9 months later with a newly developed guitar technique no blues man had seen before. This is where the legend of Robert Johnson begins
Blain Perkins Robert would often get drunk and curse God in the bar he was in. Making a lot of people uncomfortable. He became pretty anti religious after his wife and child die. Which added on to the legend. We do know his last words scrawled down on a piece of paper were. “Jesus of Nazareth, King of Jerusalem I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he will call me from the grave.” Perhaps coming to peace with God before he passed.
I turned 21 today and I share the same birthday as Robert Johnson. Here’s to you Robert. For your iconic sound, changing the world of music forever, and inspiring some of my favorite artists! I raise my first glass to you! 🥃🥃🥃
I've been playing guitar for a very long time. What's amazing about the way Robert plays is the way he handles rhythm on low E while maintaining riffs throughout the whole song. For someone whose been playing for 10 years that's quite difficult, and Robert had only played for 6 months. One truly does wonder how he learned to play that fast
when your only focus is your passion, time is irrelevant. it's not the amount of time you put in, but the quality. robert lost everything and only had his music.
@@eavesDropSound no he actually sold his soul. He is said to be the first man to ever sell his soul to the devil but I find that hard to believe. Maybe the first recorded person to sell his soul to the devil
@@austinsterling4455 if you believe in that sort of thing. I'm going based off witnesses accounts from both the Netflix documentary my own research on him the last couple years I've known of him.
@@andresargento1380 because Robert was way ahead of his time, he influenced musician like Dylan, Clapton, Keith Richards....his guitar style was unique. I think you can understand why many considere him as the greatest bluesman of all time
Such an amazing artist that passed away way too young, yet his contributions to blues are undeniable!!! RIP Robert Johnson, you may be gone, but your legend lives on!
First of all, it's not the "Harmony", you are referring to the "Melody". Secondly, the reason you haven't heard it is because it had a hell of a lot more to do with the old recording and the way the guitar was picked up by the mic. Thirdly, Robert Johnson learned guitar at 21 and no one was playing blues on the piano, at that time it was all jazz. So the notion this melody has anything to do with or is inspired by a piano is totally wrong. It clearly sounds like acoustic slide blues. I am guessing that you heard blues music in the 50s that had a lot of piano, that was inspired by Robert Johnson and not the other way around, and then made this connection in your mind. Blues is built on the I-IV-V and Robert Johnson started that and was the godfather of that.
@@drdre4397 I did mean harmony in reference to parts like 0:39 . and the piano reference did not mean inspired by. just that one could make the comparison in overall sound not that they took from each other. as well as that but in others like Sweet home Chicago and Kind Hearted Woman, the precision of the picking in the rhythm parts of the guitar sound like piano without legato tone. Robert wasn't inspired by piano obviously just that with hindsight his playing style sounds comparable. really In my original comment I didn't elaborate enough and you misinterpreted what I mean.
@@bathtubshrimp2314 wasn't an arguement, thank you for projecting. There's music theory behind the sound of the devil wether or not you are too ignorant to learn about it.
Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 - August 16, 1938) was an American blues musician and songwriter. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and song-writing talent that has influenced later generations of musicians. Although his recording career spanned only seven months, he is recognized as a master of the blues, particularly the Delta blues style, and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as perhaps "the first ever rock star". As a traveling performer who played mostly on street corners, in juke joints, and at Saturday night dances, Johnson had little commercial success or public recognition in his lifetime. He participated in only two recording sessions, one in San Antonio in 1936, and one in Dallas in 1937, that produced 29 distinct songs (with 13 surviving alternate takes) recorded by Don Law. These songs, recorded solo in improvised studios, were the totality of his recorded output. Most were released as 10-inch, 78 rpm singles from 1937-1938, with a few released after his death. Other than these recordings, very little was known of him during his life outside of the small musical circuit in the Mississippi Delta where he spent most of his life. Much of his story has been reconstructed by researchers. Johnson's poorly documented life and death have given rise to much legend. The one most closely associated with him is that he sold his soul to the devil at a local crossroads to achieve musical success. From Wikipedia.
People say this man sold his soul to the devil. I say with hard work, dedication and persistence you can achieve any goal in mind you have, even producing music.
To think 83 years after your passing to have 25 million people listen to one of your songs. Man you would have never thought it was possible. God bless and I hope you are okay. 💯
Came here from Wendigoon, I was already familiar with the story but wasn’t familiar with his actual work. Hearing what he was able to do with that guitar send chills down my spine. I’m a musician myself, I’ve got a couple of my own projects in the works actually, but truly without Robert Johnson rock and roll wouldn’t exist the way it does today. Thank you Robert, for laying the groundwork for myself and countless others to follow in your footsteps.
Jay Coney Not saying he was crap, far from it, but its not that hard to play. If you judge a piece by how hard it is to play, then you have failed at music. Not only playing, but listening to it. Either you like this song or not, nothing more to it really, its just taste.
***** I have been playing for 13 years but I would wager I could have tackled this 2-3 years in no problem. Hendrix is much harder, but still, not the hardest stuff out their by a long shot. M Batio (personally think his music is very boring) would be CONSIDERABLY harder to play than this, but it also proves my point perfectly. Something doesn't need to be difficult to be good.
Jay Coney Yeah and considering the fact that they didnt even use any scales/tabs/theories etc. just by listening and playing with each other. It may seem that they do the same stuff alot of times that's because they don't have any blueprint on what to do. Basically they were just playing on how they feel by putting that in the guitar. It's so amazing when you think about it
Jay Coney he doesn't suck, the sound quality does, which leads idiots to believe that his playing isn't good, if you gave Robert Johnson the recording equipment we have to day this would compare to a fraking Beethoven symphony lol
Interesting comment. “Crossroads” is a straight up satanic song but you’d never know it unless you knew the history behind it or really paid attention to the lyrics. Man sold his soul to the devil as the legend goes.
Oh I think when the legend becomes bigger than the facts print the legend. lol. It was a common phrase that people attached to all blues and rock musicians, but I can tell you from experience, some of it is absolutely truth. That’s why Bob and people like me went to other way. Oh yes everyone will go down to the crossroads sooner or later, you don’t have to be no musician, it’s just that’s what the devil is try’s to be.
When you listen to Mr. Johnson play, it literally feels like you are in the small juke joints, cafes, and clubs that he played at. His legacy is the reason why I love my music. By Way of McComb, Mississippi. I’m going to make my way to Hazlehurst, Mississippi and show my respect and honor the legendary Man, the Myth, the Long Fingered Music Loving. Robert Johnson. Stand Up Mississippi 🎶♟
@@emannurkic He didn't sell shit! It was a marketing ploy. Blues men had to have a story just like todays artist. The point was to pack a house and sell records. If not for his story, we may not be talking about him today, even though his playing was legendary. Two blues men I always knew. Leadbelly and Robert Johnson. Not the best, but best stories. You think the movie Crossroads would have been made with a different title based on Robert Johnsons playing skill alone? Nope. You either have to be super skilled or mediocre with something extra. Robert was super skilled with a killer story.
So just out of sheer determination, perseverance, and just a pinch of pettiness, became the granddaddy of rock and roll and when people were so stunned by his mastery of the guitar that they were just like no fucking way, thats bullshit this guy made a deal with the devil... And he fucking rolled with it! He incorporated this as the theme of his music, this guy is the definition of "I cannot believe you did that you absolute mad lad!"
One of my favourite parts of this song and his other recordings is how you can hear his slide hitting the neck of the guitar in the background. Just adds to that overall raw, bluesy feel.
Thank you for uploading this music. Unfortunately, I am just now discovering Robert Johnson, after watching the last performance of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2013 Induction show where several musicians played this very song. That is what prompted me to explore Robert Johnson and his music and how his influence still echoes today. I am grateful that I did because wow and damn. Now, I can't stop listening to his music or watching documentaries about him and the mystery and mythos about him. Thank you, Shogun. Keep this up on You Tube for as long as you can.
This man's poor hard life sounds so unique and very much my favorite blue's sounds He'd created with probably the first K,pole and long neck bottle glass slide. It brilliant and simple. He's playing the guitar higher-ups pitch with a slower pace than most songs at the time was upbeat Broadway hightempo sounds. He's almost stopping time with every single bump bump. Rip.robert Johnson king of delta blue's.
Robert Johnson was the first great bluesman I knew about, and he was the first and youngest to go. There's never been another like'm and there never will be. I thank the Lord for musicians like Robert Johnson and for recordings. Thanks for sharing, the kids today aren't as lucky as we were as far as great music goes, imo.
MultiTopfpflanze metal and rock wouldn't exist it it wasn't for the delta blues men. Do some research on the history of the blues, you will enjoy it. Check out surf music too, surf music is metal with no distortion.
"Blues just has this something." Try "Skin Game Blues" by Peg Leg Howell, "When A Man's A Long Way From Home" by Leadbelly, and "Blues At My Baby's House" by Buddy Guy.
Been listening since 1970 (13 years old) ain't no devil in this Tune Robert only Asking the Good Lord above for Mercy "Save poor Bob if You please" Hallelujah. Jesus Did.
I went to the crossroad fell down on my knees I went to the crossroad fell down on my knees Asked the Lord above "Have mercy, now save poor Bob, if you please Mmmmm, standin' at the crossroad I tried to flag a ride Standin' at the crossroad I tried to flag a ride Didn't nobody seem to know me everybody pass me by Mmm, the sun goin' down, boy dark gon' catch me here oooo ooee eeee boy, dark gon' catch me here I haven't got no lovin' sweet woman that love and feel my care You can run, you can run tell my friend-boy Willie Brown You can run, you can run tell my friend-boy Willie Brown Lord, that I'm standin' at the crossroad, babe I believe I'm sinkin' down
People die everyday and we thinks there’s something going on when famous people die at the same age? As I’m writing this comment there’s a chance that someone we don’t know has died at the age of 27. It doesn’t mean shit.
Go nine nights in a row to a deserted crossroad at around 12am-3am Be vocal about making a pact Bring your guitar and play your best you can HE will approach from a distance playing HIS own fiddle HE will switch instruments with you, tune yours and give it back to you. Then HE will walk away leaving you the ability to play whatever your heart desires. For a price of course.
This is to me the most interesting piece of music history, this guy comes out of nowhere, inspires everyone that comes behind him and promptly dies fascinating
The man who started rock and roll before rock and roll what a legend this guy was just imagine how many lost records are out there this man Deserves to be remembered
+Stephanie Verdin narrow minded people. Thats how it has dislikes. I love the imagery used here. I am not a fan of Angelina Jolie but somehow she fits into this video. Its so strange. I dig it.
+Stephanie Verdin influencing this poor Eric is not the most fantastic fact of the XXth century. Fortunately, he influenced Muddy waters & a bunch of geniuses, including jimi Hendrix..
I've been listening to countless versions of "Crossroads" for a long time, but none of them even come close to this original recording. The power and drama of this song lies in the soulful originality of the song's performance. Voice and guitar. Fantastic work of art.
Man, you just can't get no better than that!! It's been a long time since I had sit down and listened to this and it still gives me chills like it did the first time I heard it as a kid! You can just FEEL his soul pouring out when he plays! I know a lot of musicians put a lot into their work nowadays but this is something totally different! They lived a WAYY different life than we do today, so the feelings put into it is raw and as real as it gets! What I would do to go back and just watch him play in front of my face!! I would pick Robert over ANYBODY in the last 100 years to go back and see perform!
What is sad is that most of these folks from this era of the Delta Blues, weren't paid a penny for their music. It's the reason Bonnie Raitt started a foundation for the old blueman/women.
I have always loved this kind of music I remember when I was young listening to SRV, Jimmy Hendrix, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Bob Dylan, and a lot more. I was in my 20s before I heard Robert's name. He really is impressive. Of course I heard the story of the devil at the crossroads so I did some research. Best I can tell is everyone said he was mediocre before getting in with Ike Now talent can bloom very quickly under a proper teacher I've no doubt. I've read alot about some of their beliefs though. I love the mystique of the graveyard sessions and it may not have necessarily been the devil but i do believe you can channel energy. No one but who was there knows what happend for sure though. Say what you will but in this ole world l've found if you go looking for something hard enough you're apt to find it. He's timeless no matter how you look at it. Anyway I'm rambling hope everyone enjoys the music for what it is...good damn music
![ทททททททท #27 [หลุยส์ เค โตมายังไง ณ สระบุรี]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/CaKoYw_Xmtg/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm just grateful these recordings exist. Imagine how much timeless sound has been lost to history.
I see you saw the series...
Wasn't that timeless if it was lost in history now was it
Was*
So many great story's told though there emotions lost to time just like all of us lost yo time.
So very true what a great artist Robert Johnson is
Wonder what Robert would have said if someone told him that 15 million people would listen to one of his songs almost eighty years after his passing.
Hopelessand Forlorn das a daammn lotta folk dere
Or that he is considered the father of blues. I read about him some time back, his life was interesting, mysterious and very much the blues ethos, same with Led Belly. Interesting side note, Cleoma Breux was my great, great aunt, not blues, Cajun, but still very cool.
His Legacy Still Lives on Even until Today Sam and Even I Enjoy His Music
Hopelessand Forlorn and only 1000 disliked it
An i wonder what he'd say if were told a tv-host became USA president in 2016.
I grew up on Rolling Stones, Cream, Them, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Canned Heat, etc.
Then I found out where a lot of their songs came from.. struggling Black blues musicians with cheap guitars in the 30s and 40s.. 😭😩
May they have glory in heaven!
good point. about the cheap guitars. those $ 35,000 vintage guitars the hedge fund guys buy (and can hardly play) are not the instruments guys like robert johnson played. robert johnson was broke. the guitar he is holding in the famous photograph belonged to the recording studio. there were times when white bullies destroyed his guitars because he was a black man.
🎶 you might dig on the rolling stones, but they aint come up with those songs on they own 🎶 ~ Mos Def
@@annemcnamara997anyone who plays the blues really should appreciate this fact. the genre was born out of both the strife and beauty of African American culture at the time. and to be a true blues musician I think you have to acknowledge the humanity and soul brought by this. For example, while I think Rory Gallagher was technically a blues rock musician due to some of the tempos he played at, he understood where the blues came from and that's why even though he mainly played a stratocaster on stage he was a player of cheap guitars as well since that's what his hero's played. It is definitely a genre that requires a genuine soul and an empathy for those who struggle but choose to strive for a better life anyways. This makes the blues always culturally relevant in some form as while many things might have changed, the problems have not gone away for society, they have only changed appearance. Having a ridiculously unneeded les paul from whenever the "golden years" were meant to be wont make that change. hell for a long time no one valued guitars like Les Pauls highly until someone famous played them and then there was enough demand that vintage guitar nonsense was profitable.
You know if you break the "Legend" down you will find that other musical influences other than poor black musicians with cheap guitars. If I am not mistaken Robert Johnson was a joke. He left for a time and came back and blew them all away. Claimed he sold his soul to the devil at what is now 49 and 61 in Clarksdale Ms. In actuality according to a Guitar Magazine article maybe 15 years ago he went to Arkansas and learned how to play. No one knows from who or where at but the Legend was born.
And yes this is the basis of Rock and Roll. As for the actual crossroads. 61 is a limited access 4 lane median devided hwy. But that whole region from Yazoo City where 49 splits to 49W and 49E and reconnects south of Clarksdale is strange feeling. 6 pm and getting on 61N hardly any traffic. Hell 49W seems out of time and space for that area. I think these blues musicians picked up on that.
It a good place to take a road trip and so much musical history but there is a wierd feeling and probably one of the few routes east of I35 you can run with your brightlights for miles without having to dim them for oncoming traffic.
Well this is were it comes from unfortunately if it wasn't for slavery we would not have rock and roll in America sad but true that's where it came from the first time Eric Clapton heard this and they are overseas in Europe or Britain they have lost it they couldn't believe that they never heard music like this before and their lives and that's when rock and roll started
Just came here from Wendigoon, it really does sound like a grandfather of rock and roll.
Can you imagine how Robert Johnson might react if you were to tell him that he was the progenitor for one of the most massive genres of music ever!?
Lmaoo same.
He'd have said "Someone else would've come along if he didn't..."
@@CurvedSlightly I don't think anyone else could
same
He knew he would be according to legend.
According to legend, he sold his soul to the devil for musical stardom. He was dead 7 months later.
There’s an old man sitting on a porch somewhere that nobody knows about that’s probably just as good as this
alright
That was potbelly
And today that wouldn't be anything special. At the time, it was.
@@blazer6248 it's still special today, delta blues is an art form
people make out celebrities as something above us... the reality is we are the ones above them
The man who single-handedly inspired Clapton, Page, and Hendrix.
Keith Richards too
Inspired all modern music TBF
@@gruss470 even afrobeat?
Inspiro al mismisimo chamuco un grandeee
@@davidkariu2330 I mean according to Wikipedia, Afrobeats origins says it was inspired by jazz, funk, and soul which were inspired by blues
Thanks Wendigoon for introducing us to this timeless American art!
Indeed
how the hell did you not already know this
@@billrobertjoe I knew the tale but never listened to his music, Wendigoon encouraged his watchers to go check it out, so 💁🏻♀️
@@pipparice2043 that was what i meant in the original comment.
@@pipparice2043 if it was worded too poorly for your small, smooth brain.
Anybody here 2024?? Cant miss this legendary piece of history 🎵
You know you’re doing something right when people say you played so well, they could only attribute it to the devil.
He sold his soul bro
He will tell you he sold his soul. He himself admitted it
@asper the guy himself said he sold his soul to the devil and even said exactly where lol. That is probably why people think that...because he said it. Maybe he was just lying but he said it.
@asper I agree that this is the most likely scenario. I was just pointing out that he did indeed say it. The OP didn't seem to know this. Although, Bob Dylan claimed to sell his soul at the same crossroads.. It is very peculiar at the least.
@asper nope,with years I understand,but no with a couple of months. he was trash people said it was a terrible guitarist he would never accomplish or get anywhere.
1938 He died and his music is still being listened to by millions in 2016, something current pop artists will never achieve.
PasteyWhiteboy if you are the pioneer then u will never be forgotten.
but it's 2017
PasteyWhiteboy 2017
translation: you're OLD
Nikolas Metcalfe Because you think you're "cool" and you listen to rap? Good for you, want a cookie?
This is such a wild tune. The lack of accompaniment gives it an ethereal feel, the rhythm/tempo kind of slips and slides around. The older I get the better I appreciate it
He’s playing the e string in the background at a tempo while also playing the song on the same guitar
bro im 21 years old and i love this shit hands down
He plays notes that aren't on a guitar, they're within his spirit. Thank you Robert for paving the way for so much music I love
They say his real crossroads began when he lost his wife in child birth. He was known as an unskilled guitar player until he left one day, only to return 9 months later with a newly developed guitar technique no blues man had seen before. This is where the legend of Robert Johnson begins
who said that
Nicholas Mckay History says it. Check out "Can't You Hear The Wind Howlin? Life and Music of Robert Johnson"
Blain Perkins Robert would often get drunk and curse God in the bar he was in. Making a lot of people uncomfortable. He became pretty anti religious after his wife and child die. Which added on to the legend. We do know his last words scrawled down on a piece of paper were. “Jesus of Nazareth, King of Jerusalem I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he will call me from the grave.” Perhaps coming to peace with God before he passed.
Stephanie Mays yes that’s because he sold his soul after there deaths
He made deal with decil. It's not a conspiracy
This the most cracked out photo montage
True
Lmaooo
😂😂
lmao i liked the random picture of Angelina Jolie out of nowhere
Like crack cocaine ?😅
14 Years Old. 50 Years Old Now. 36 Year’s Of Robert Johnson 🎸 I’m Just A Poor White Boy 👦 Sinking Down, But, Loving The Ride . R.I.P MR. JOHNSON 🇺🇸🎸😘
I turned 21 today and I share the same birthday as Robert Johnson. Here’s to you Robert. For your iconic sound, changing the world of music forever, and inspiring some of my favorite artists! I raise my first glass to you! 🥃🥃🥃
Happy birthday to you!
Slainte! 🥃 🎉🎂
HEY R A iS E 1 to Yrself along the way but not to many be happpy safe u
Give 1 back to the Earth to thk yr BLESSINGS🌿🎵🌈🙏🌎🐳♥️🌝🦊
I've been playing guitar for a very long time. What's amazing about the way Robert plays is the way he handles rhythm on low E while maintaining riffs throughout the whole song. For someone whose been playing for 10 years that's quite difficult, and Robert had only played for 6 months. One truly does wonder how he learned to play that fast
Ike Zimmerman taught him how to play.
@@vine3112 in the grave yard at night we're he refers to the voodoo Spirits that come out at night and teach a soul the blues.
when your only focus is your passion, time is irrelevant. it's not the amount of time you put in, but the quality. robert lost everything and only had his music.
@@eavesDropSound no he actually sold his soul. He is said to be the first man to ever sell his soul to the devil but I find that hard to believe. Maybe the first recorded person to sell his soul to the devil
@@austinsterling4455 if you believe in that sort of thing. I'm going based off witnesses accounts from both the Netflix documentary my own research on him the last couple years I've known of him.
If you play the guitar, you have to know this guy
I knew him before I started playing guitar
Why?
@@andresargento1380 because Robert was way ahead of his time, he influenced musician like Dylan, Clapton, Keith Richards....his guitar style was unique. I think you can understand why many considere him as the greatest bluesman of all time
For everybody who plays the Guitar
Its a moral sin not to know this man
amr albathani with my its reverse
Such an amazing artist that passed away way too young, yet his contributions to blues are undeniable!!! RIP Robert Johnson, you may be gone, but your legend lives on!
He sold his soul to the devil
@@shrekchungusyosuf2636 Hmmm
It's really insane, even the best covers of this song are never able to recreate the harmony that makes the guitar almost sound piano like.
First of all, it's not the "Harmony", you are referring to the "Melody".
Secondly, the reason you haven't heard it is because it had a hell of a lot more to do with the old recording and the way the guitar was picked up by the mic.
Thirdly, Robert Johnson learned guitar at 21 and no one was playing blues on the piano, at that time it was all jazz. So the notion this melody has anything to do with or is inspired by a piano is totally wrong. It clearly sounds like acoustic slide blues.
I am guessing that you heard blues music in the 50s that had a lot of piano, that was inspired by Robert Johnson and not the other way around, and then made this connection in your mind.
Blues is built on the I-IV-V and Robert Johnson started that and was the godfather of that.
@@drdre4397 I did mean harmony in reference to parts like 0:39 . and the piano reference did not mean inspired by. just that one could make the comparison in overall sound not that they took from each other. as well as that but in others like Sweet home Chicago and Kind Hearted Woman, the precision of the picking in the rhythm parts of the guitar sound like piano without legato tone. Robert wasn't inspired by piano obviously just that with hindsight his playing style sounds comparable. really In my original comment I didn't elaborate enough and you misinterpreted what I mean.
You both look like idiots arguing over TH-cam and are both wrong it’s clearly the devil 🙄
@UC3v6VItnZvh6rWoLD6lZ3qA then comes your stupid a** to comment…stfu
@@bathtubshrimp2314 wasn't an arguement, thank you for projecting. There's music theory behind the sound of the devil wether or not you are too ignorant to learn about it.
If you are listening to this in 2021,, you’re a Legend
Yep
H
How strange... I'm here from Italy cause of 20th century boys' manga
This guy sold his soul
Hey lol
Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 - August 16, 1938) was an American blues musician and songwriter. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and song-writing talent that has influenced later generations of musicians. Although his recording career spanned only seven months, he is recognized as a master of the blues, particularly the Delta blues style, and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as perhaps "the first ever rock star".
As a traveling performer who played mostly on street corners, in juke joints, and at Saturday night dances, Johnson had little commercial success or public recognition in his lifetime. He participated in only two recording sessions, one in San Antonio in 1936, and one in Dallas in 1937, that produced 29 distinct songs (with 13 surviving alternate takes) recorded by Don Law. These songs, recorded solo in improvised studios, were the totality of his recorded output. Most were released as 10-inch, 78 rpm singles from 1937-1938, with a few released after his death. Other than these recordings, very little was known of him during his life outside of the small musical circuit in the Mississippi Delta where he spent most of his life. Much of his story has been reconstructed by researchers. Johnson's poorly documented life and death have given rise to much legend. The one most closely associated with him is that he sold his soul to the devil at a local crossroads to achieve musical success.
From Wikipedia.
People say this man sold his soul to the devil.
I say with hard work, dedication and persistence you can achieve any goal in mind you have, even producing music.
Nope devil
@@themorningbump8546 you're irrelevant.
He left home and couldn't play.. One year later came home the goat and said he sold his soul... Great story either way
@@jamesdobson8382 it’s called practice
@@themorningbump8546 it’s called practice
RIP the King of Delta Blues
Robert Johnson (May 8, 1911 - August 16, 1938), aged 27
You will be remembered as a legend.
1st member of the 27 club
And remembered for selling his soul to Satan
@@dr.greenbodythehealer6253 most likely a myth spread by his haters
@@drewfromyay882 or you are blind to truth and have sold your soul to the devil
Shit I'll sell my soul to the devil to play music like this, shit I'll sell it for $20 rn
To think 83 years after your passing to have 25 million people listen to one of your songs. Man you would have never thought it was possible. God bless and I hope you are okay. 💯
Weird how the world works
Canada loves Robert Johnson
He aint okay. He sold his soul
He literally made songs about him selling his soul, it's too late for god. Lol
@@InspireMatrixx you forgot the key word, “Hope”.
Love the sound of his voice and that guitar 🎸...Mississippi Delta Blues baby.
This really is on another level. Legend
It’s mid asf
The entire legend is incorrect. It was actually the devil that traded his soul for guitar lessons from Robert.. R.i.p Robert where ever you are...
:)))
In hell
He didn't play so hot until he had his little meeting down there. Good luck to him, God bless his soul.
damn, you got that right. not may people know the true story! ;)
rockandbluesfan 79 he’s in hell lol he even said he had hellhounds on his tail in one of his songs cuz he knew his time would come
A random picture of Angelina Jolie always drives the point home.
Ha!
Not random.
Still love it
She sold her sold just like RJ the hell hounds dont mind
Ya wtf was that? Lol
Came here from Wendigoon, I was already familiar with the story but wasn’t familiar with his actual work. Hearing what he was able to do with that guitar send chills down my spine. I’m a musician myself, I’ve got a couple of my own projects in the works actually, but truly without Robert Johnson rock and roll wouldn’t exist the way it does today. Thank you Robert, for laying the groundwork for myself and countless others to follow in your footsteps.
Idk who tf dis Johnson faka is but wingdingsgoon life
This song is so eerie. I love it
A lot of the people saying he sucked at guitar never sat down and tried to play a Robert Johnson song.
evange03 You tell um, Vange!
Jay Coney Not saying he was crap, far from it, but its not that hard to play. If you judge a piece by how hard it is to play, then you have failed at music. Not only playing, but listening to it. Either you like this song or not, nothing more to it really, its just taste.
***** I have been playing for 13 years but I would wager I could have tackled this 2-3 years in no problem. Hendrix is much harder, but still, not the hardest stuff out their by a long shot. M Batio (personally think his music is very boring) would be CONSIDERABLY harder to play than this, but it also proves my point perfectly. Something doesn't need to be difficult to be good.
Jay Coney Yeah and considering the fact that they didnt even use any scales/tabs/theories etc. just by listening and playing with each other. It may seem that they do the same stuff alot of times that's because they don't have any blueprint on what to do. Basically they were just playing on how they feel by putting that in the guitar. It's so amazing when you think about it
Jay Coney he doesn't suck, the sound quality does, which leads idiots to believe that his playing isn't good, if you gave Robert Johnson the recording equipment we have to day this would compare to a fraking Beethoven symphony lol
I’ve come to learn that sometimes the most simplest, quietest and softest music are often times the most darkest.
Interesting comment. “Crossroads” is a straight up satanic song but you’d never know it unless you knew the history behind it or really paid attention to the lyrics. Man sold his soul to the devil as the legend goes.
Oh I think when the legend becomes bigger than the facts print the legend. lol. It was a common phrase that people attached to all blues and rock musicians, but I can tell you from experience, some of it is absolutely truth. That’s why Bob and people like me went to other way. Oh yes everyone will go down to the crossroads sooner or later, you don’t have to be no musician, it’s just that’s what the devil is try’s to be.
Listen to strange fruit by Billy
I get your point for, but this is far from simple lol
@@jdk67 that’s a claim he might’ve learned from a man his name started with an I I don’t remember
I'm glad Wendigoon brought me here.
Never heard of this guy until now, and man this music is something else.
When you listen to Mr. Johnson play, it literally feels like you are in the small juke joints, cafes, and clubs that he played at. His legacy is the reason why I love my music. By Way of McComb, Mississippi.
I’m going to make my way to Hazlehurst, Mississippi and show my respect and honor the legendary Man, the Myth, the Long Fingered Music Loving. Robert Johnson. Stand Up Mississippi 🎶♟
I think the Netflix documentary was good, because it brought more people to listen to this amazing guitar player.
hap and leaornard theres a episode
Yea, but he sold his soul
Flashy Mak didn’t we all? Our parents gave our souls away when they put us in school
@@jaidynmccarty6947 you right
@@emannurkic He didn't sell shit! It was a marketing ploy. Blues men had to have a story just like todays artist. The point was to pack a house and sell records. If not for his story, we may not be talking about him today, even though his playing was legendary. Two blues men I always knew. Leadbelly and Robert Johnson. Not the best, but best stories. You think the movie Crossroads would have been made with a different title based on Robert Johnsons playing skill alone? Nope. You either have to be super skilled or mediocre with something extra. Robert was super skilled with a killer story.
It's unbelievable that not only is this masterpiece still alive today, but this video has over 15 million views. Really is amazing.
yep!!!!
Yea. I actually have never played it on youtube(only vinyl and cds, digital). Didnt figure it would have this many views. Impressed = )
I thought it would sound really crackly
he is one of the best musicians who ever lived. i love it.
I want more views, fuckin Justin Bieber has the double of this man, I hate people for that.
So just out of sheer determination, perseverance, and just a pinch of pettiness, became the granddaddy of rock and roll and when people were so stunned by his mastery of the guitar that they were just like no fucking way, thats bullshit this guy made a deal with the devil... And he fucking rolled with it! He incorporated this as the theme of his music, this guy is the definition of "I cannot believe you did that you absolute mad lad!"
"You all might not be ready for that, but your kids are gonna love it."
The great-granddad of rock and roll.
The God*
J. Cav umm the blues isn't the precursor to rock delta blues is completely different and separate
***** Your comment is one of those comments I look at and just go "Wow....that wasn't smart".
Rock wouldn't exist without him
This is blues dude
Not even lying, i accidentally played this on my TV and my 2 year old immediately started crying
That’s scary
Devil's song
peter what the hell did you just do
why did stewie start crying?
@@overpricedhealthcare i was considering replying to your comment before realizing that you had a Hotel Hazbin pfp
2023 lost but not forgotten rest easy soul of blues my age is 26 and your story touch my heart deeply
The blues is nothing but a good man feeling down
One of my favourite parts of this song and his other recordings is how you can hear his slide hitting the neck of the guitar in the background. Just adds to that overall raw, bluesy feel.
This is a cool comment
I absolutely love that too
Sounds like it was recorded on a dinner plate!
He didn't sell his soul. He learned how to play and exceeded. Pure talent.
Haha yeah ok
how do you know
@@zennnn5944 I was there
@@ShortProMedia If you seriously believe he sold his soul to a nonexistent being, you need to fucking go
@@zennnn5944 Because I know God nor the devil don't exist. They're figments of man's broad imagination.
man, this is rock and roll without an electric guitar in the 1930's... amazing!
And he wasn't a picker; he was a plucker.
He played a Casino Coupe for this though I believe
Its not rock n roll its blues my dude
Blues is Rocknrolls daddy
If you are listening to this in 2022, you're a legend!!!!!!
I'm listening to this right now im a legend too
That guitar playing ain't no joke man!! Rest easy Robert 🎸 🎶🎵...
I’m now tempted to go to a nearby crossroad with my guitar at midnight and see what happens...
Please bring your guitar and don't keep me waiting its been almost 3 days since YOU called me boy!!!!!!!!
i am the True Highlander: (gulp)
Did that, and I was severely beaten and mugged. May I suggest guitar lessons?
Bring your mouse and keyboard and Lucy will make you the best fortnite player in the world.
@Gabriel L. Lmao
Ah yes Robert Johnson's sweet woman who gave him these blues - Angelina Jolie
hahaha
I read this comment as soon as a pic of her popped up 😂
@@mattroets2095 me too
😂😂😂😂
Yup she been around hundreds of years
Thank you for uploading this music. Unfortunately, I am just now discovering Robert Johnson, after watching the last performance of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2013 Induction show where several musicians played this very song. That is what prompted me to explore Robert Johnson and his music and how his influence still echoes today. I am grateful that I did because wow and damn. Now, I can't stop listening to his music or watching documentaries about him and the mystery and mythos about him. Thank you, Shogun. Keep this up on You Tube for as long as you can.
We come to gather , right here, praise the lord , the lord almighty ❤
robert johnson with robert johnson on backup guitar, featuring robert johnson.
have a reply man!
Yea he really makes it sound like multiple guitarists
Robert Johnson, Elvis Presley, and Aretha Franklin all died on the same date (august 16)
John Titor waittt thats true
Your profile pic matches the emotion of your comment lol.
@@romanc.1097 lol
Thats what happens when u make a deal with the devil
Oh shit! That's my birthday! XD
This man's poor hard life sounds so unique and very much my favorite blue's sounds He'd created with probably the first
K,pole and long neck bottle glass slide. It brilliant and simple. He's playing the guitar higher-ups pitch with a slower pace than most songs at the time was upbeat Broadway hightempo sounds. He's almost stopping time with every single bump bump. Rip.robert Johnson king of delta blue's.
Robert Johnson was the first great bluesman I knew about, and he was the first and youngest to go. There's never been another like'm and there never will be. I thank the Lord for musicians like Robert Johnson and for recordings.
Thanks for sharing, the kids today aren't as lucky as we were as far as great music goes, imo.
why the hell is a picture of angelina jolie in this.
I was like, where? then her face came on.
She's the Devil.....just ask Brad Pitt. ;-)
At 1:50 and he put a box which said 'poor sweet woman'
Why do you think she has all those kids? Good for trading at the crossroads ;)
Why indeed, I asked the exact same question!
There’s something so eerie but beautiful about the way he plays and sings he truly was an amazing artist
Keiran
if you think this is good try charlie patton, ...... your welcome
Ronald Oelkers demon magic
My grandad knew him in the 1923 played with him state of Mississippi his name is George Bellis
Robert Johnson the bedrock of rock n roll
1911-1938
I bet he wouldn't of thought that over 80 years later people would still be listening to this. He truly is a legend.
Genius
I usually only like Metal and Rock but damn. Blues just has this something.
metal and rock are derivative of the blues , their chord patterns and licks and riffs are similar
i think
soul is what it has ,unlike anything they make these days .
MultiTopfpflanze metal and rock wouldn't exist it it wasn't for the delta blues men. Do some research on the history of the blues, you will enjoy it. Check out surf music too, surf music is metal with no distortion.
"Blues just has this something." Try "Skin Game Blues" by Peg Leg Howell, "When A Man's A Long Way From Home" by Leadbelly, and "Blues At My Baby's House" by Buddy Guy.
Wendigoon gang! Never heard of this guy before :)
WendiGang
Been listening since 1970 (13 years old) ain't no devil in this Tune Robert only Asking the Good Lord above for Mercy "Save poor Bob if You please" Hallelujah. Jesus Did.
I went to the crossroad
fell down on my knees
I went to the crossroad
fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above "Have mercy, now
save poor Bob, if you please
Mmmmm, standin' at the crossroad
I tried to flag a ride
Standin' at the crossroad
I tried to flag a ride
Didn't nobody seem to know me
everybody pass me by
Mmm, the sun goin' down, boy
dark gon' catch me here
oooo ooee eeee
boy, dark gon' catch me here
I haven't got no lovin' sweet woman that
love and feel my care
You can run, you can run
tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
You can run, you can run
tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
Lord, that I'm standin' at the crossroad, babe
I believe I'm sinkin' down
Thank you dude
you’r welcome
Thanks again
damn he was number one for finding the 27th club
thx for sharing - i'm hoping it's time for that club to close now.
no he was number 3, Alexandre levy is #1
He Was 28.
@@bluhcrih1613 ur wrong
People die everyday and we thinks there’s something going on when famous people die at the same age? As I’m writing this comment there’s a chance that someone we don’t know has died at the age of 27. It doesn’t mean shit.
escuto esse mesmo vídeo desde a minha adolescência, amo esse slide de imagens
RJ was THE delta blues pioneer gone too young (27) but will never be forgotten 😊👍❤️💋💯💯💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🙏🙏🙏
Club 27:Robert Johnson ,Jimi Hendrix,Jim Morrison, Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain,Janis Joplin, Pete Ham, Chris Bell, Ron Mckernan ,Brian Jones,
Never take a fixed uo.shot lol
Add one day there will be lil uzi
What did they have in common?
Duane allman.
they all die at the same age, being the bests @@camiasmr977
It's his birthday 🎂 today if he was alive he would be 110 years old.
Thank for memory)
amm...why is 497?? 😄😄😄)
Dangg
the first member of 27 club-. rip
He sold his soul to the devil
@@DERRY_silver nice i wanna do that too :D
Music connects us. Let’s simply appreciate the music that this man has given us, and not divide ourselves further with our differences.
This is really beautiful but somehow really scary at the same time
Go nine nights in a row to a deserted crossroad at around 12am-3am
Be vocal about making a pact
Bring your guitar and play your best you can
HE will approach from a distance playing HIS own fiddle
HE will switch instruments with you, tune yours and give it back to you.
Then HE will walk away leaving you the ability to play whatever your heart desires.
For a price of course.
@@R4PTOR. I'm Jim Morrison. I didn't die
What if it's a laptop with Propellerhead Reason 11.0 on it. Then what?
Kamau Y.A.H Naturemonk “For what shall it profit a man, If he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Hehe bet, we finna find out
Go to the crossroads with a Keytar! 😁
Nearly 30 million humans have heard your masterpiece a century later Robert, thank you!.
Robert Johnson and Hank Williams sr. are real grandpas of rock-n-roll
This is to me the most interesting piece of music history, this guy comes out of nowhere, inspires everyone that comes behind him and promptly dies fascinating
I brought myself here.
What would Robert Johnson say if he knew, 25 million people are still listening to his tracks 86 years later
It worked that damn well 👋🏽😫 that’s a really good point tho, I might give a try at this myself
he'd probably say he regrets making this 🤣 because the devil trade him this song for his soul
@@DERRY_silver the devil probably told him millions would know about him just like they do now
Thank you, Wendigoon, for helping me discover music i didnt know was so amazing and profound
The man who started rock and roll before rock and roll what a legend this guy was just imagine how many lost records are out there this man Deserves to be remembered
My old age and taste in music brought me here.
+Semolina Pilchard My young age and taste in music brought me here.
+Adolf Eichmann You're still a sour puss, hey Eichmann?
+Adolf Eichmann Sicko
+Adolf Eichmann LOL.
+davidoffon: It is what it is...
How does this song get dislikes? He influenced ERIC CLAPTON to play music, because of this song. This song should have NO dislikes.
+Stephanie Verdin narrow minded people. Thats how it has dislikes. I love the imagery used here. I am not a fan of Angelina Jolie but somehow she fits into this video. Its so strange. I dig it.
stacyblue1980 Same. I can't stand her, but in that outfit with this song...yeah. She really fits the image and feel of the song.
+Stephanie Verdin influencing this poor Eric is not the most fantastic fact of the XXth century. Fortunately, he influenced Muddy waters & a bunch of geniuses, including jimi Hendrix..
That's the only problem with this song, clappton covered it. same with where did you sleep last night leadbelly and nirvana
+Stephanie Verdin I like the song, but obviously people don't all like the same thing silly :)
I've been listening to countless versions of "Crossroads" for a long time, but none of them even come close to this original recording. The power and drama of this song lies in the soulful originality of the song's performance. Voice and guitar. Fantastic work of art.
Live version by Cream, electrified and up tempo'ed is also pretty great.
Man, you just can't get no better than that!! It's been a long time since I had sit down and listened to this and it still gives me chills like it did the first time I heard it as a kid! You can just FEEL his soul pouring out when he plays! I know a lot of musicians put a lot into their work nowadays but this is something totally different! They lived a WAYY different life than we do today, so the feelings put into it is raw and as real as it gets! What I would do to go back and just watch him play in front of my face!! I would pick Robert over ANYBODY in the last 100 years to go back and see perform!
Mark Riley his soul was pouring out of him cause it was about to be the devils(according to the myth)
they lived a different life than most people in their day too
He is a member of the 27 club.
Shit he may be the founding member
Damn 27 likes fool 😂
EDIT: Fuck the 28th liker
good for him... oh wait
He is the OG member
He is THE member
Damn that’s insane one of my favorite cream song now I know why
Robert Johnson didn’t sell his soul, he found the pick of destiny
If only he knew what he'd begun........
I wasn’t even born yet when u comment this lol😂😅
@@TorieJackson Welcome to the world!
I was a teenager when I first heard some blues...I'm in my sixties now and I still love the blues
God bless you with good health and happy years mister
Great music never leaves u
🏆👌🏻
Check out Don's Tunes on you tube great blues channel
True man, can appreciate and relate to blues the older ya get.
Grande mito,percursor da verdadeira música!!Congratulations Robert 🙌🙌🙌
2024 and listening to Robert Johnson
Sir, never drink an open bottle
Especially open handed in church xD good point 😆
Rite
It wasnt in church it was in a club
And never slap a $7 bottle of whiskey out of my hand either
it was strange too , that he had a $7.00 bottle and 7 represents the end , ironic
What is sad is that most of these folks from this era of the Delta Blues, weren't paid a penny for their music. It's the reason Bonnie Raitt started a foundation for the old blueman/women.
The music business is horrible!
I have always loved this kind of music
I remember when I was young listening
to SRV, Jimmy Hendrix, Muddy Waters,
Howlin Wolf, Bob Dylan, and a lot more. I was in my
20s before I heard Robert's name. He really
is impressive. Of course I heard the story
of the devil at the crossroads so I did some
research. Best I can tell is everyone said he
was mediocre before getting in with Ike
Now talent can bloom very quickly under a
proper teacher I've no doubt. I've read alot
about some of their beliefs though. I love
the mystique of the graveyard sessions
and it may not have necessarily been the
devil but i do believe you can channel
energy. No one but who was there knows
what happend for sure though. Say what
you will but in this ole world l've found if
you go looking for something hard enough
you're apt to find it. He's timeless no matter
how you look at it. Anyway I'm rambling
hope everyone enjoys the music for what it
is...good damn music
I have the movie Crossroads. Have had it for years and watch it over and over. Ralph Macchio and Joe Seneca with Jamie Gertz. Very good actors.
Amazing movie nice memories back home... How are you Ruby Russell?
Pure American gold. :) It's so sad that his music wasn't near as appreciated in his own time. God bless Rob. RIP
Robert "Diablo" Johnson
Buenas Nikoooo
Que loco encontrarte acá
Bizarreada total man
._.XD
Que hacés acá niko wtf xdd
So cool that Supernatural did the Episode "Crossroad Blues" Because Robert is a legend. They even played this song
Ich liebe die Vielfalt der Musik die es gibt auf dieser Welt!!! Blues gehört dazu..... Yeah!
Rock and roll is ones own unique expression and This man provided this by the bucket load with style .
This comment was so long ago