The story of Robert Johnson a first hand account
I knew a Blues legend named Robert Lockwood, Jr. He was the only known student of famed bluesman Robert Johnson—the man who, according to legend, "sold his soul to the devil."
But Lockwood didn't tell the story that way.
I also personally knew David "Honeyboy" Edwards, who was with Robert Johnson the night he died. His recollections didn't involve anything supernatural either.
Over the years, the music business has built a lot of mythology around artists. Some of it is true, some of it is exaggerated, and some of it simply makes for a better story. Robert Johnson may be one of the greatest examples.
The explanation Lockwood gave me was much simpler.
Johnson essentially disappeared from the scene for about a year. When he returned, he was a dramatically better musician.
What happened during that time?
Most likely, he worked.
He honed his craft away from the people who had known him before. And if you devote a year of your life to your art with real intention, you can come back sounding like an entirely different musician.
In some ways, I think that's more interesting than the legend.
Lockwood certainly acknowledged that Robert Johnson was an extraordinary and unique player. But when he talked about Johnson's disappearance and transformation, he offered a much more human explanation for it.
There are a lot more stories—and stories within the stories—about these people that I'd like to share.
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