The Man Who Sold His Soul To The Devil At The Cross Roads
Birth Name | Robert Leroy Johnson
Born | May 8, 1911
Hazlehurst, Mississippi, U.S.
Died | August 16, 1938 (aged 27)
Greenwood, Mississippi
Journey into the life of Robert Johnson, the enigmatic bluesman whose haunting melodies and profound lyrics shaped the face of music. From the crossroads of Mississippi to the heart of rock and roll, learn how his timeless influence resonates through generations.
The Devil Legend
According to legend, as a young man living on a plantation in rural Mississippi, Johnson had a tremendous desire to become a great blues musician. One of the legends often told says that Johnson was instructed to take his guitar to a crossroad near Dockery Plantation at midnight. (There are claims for other sites as the location of the crossroads.) There he was met by a large being (the Devil) who took the guitar and tuned it. The Devil played a few songs and then returned the guitar to Johnson, giving him mastery of the instrument. This story of a deal with the Devil at the crossroads mirrors the legend of Faust. In exchange for his soul, Johnson was able to create the blues for which he became famous.
