Robert Johnson is a world famous blues player whose life of a short 27 years is largely unknown outside of the rumors of his bargain with the devil. According to legend, as a young man living on a plantation in rural Mississippi, Robert Johnson was branded with a burning desire to become a great blues musician.
He was “instructed” to take his guitar to a crossroad at midnight where he was met by the devil who took the guitar and tuned it. Then, the devil played a few songs and then returned the guitar to Johnson, giving him mastery of the instrument. In exchange for his soul, Robert Johnson was able to create the blues for which he became famous.
Son House, who once retold the story, said it was the only explanation for Johnson’s rapid mastery of the guitar at such a young age. Johnson often encouraged the legend, rather than backing away from it, and wrote songs such as “Me and the Devil,” which presents lyrics such as: “Early this morning when you knocked upon my door/And I said, ‘Hello, Satan, I believe it’s time to go,’” and continues with, “You may bury my body down by the highway side/So my old evil spirit can catch a Greyhound bus and ride.”
To this very day, tourist attractions in Clarksville, Mississippi mark the very crossroads where Johnson allegedly sold his soul to the devil, showing just how powerful the legend is as well as how interesting the mysterious life of Robert Johnson was.