Robert Johnson (musician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Johnson
Studio portrait (c. 1935), one of only two verified photographs of Johnson
Background information
Birth name	Robert Leroy Johnson
Born	(1911-05-08)May 8, 1911 Hazlehurst, Mississippi, U.S.
Died	August 16, 1938(1938-08-16) (aged 27) Greenwood, Mississippi
Genres	Delta blues
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, vocals, harmonica
Years active	1929–1938

Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938) was an American blues singer, songwriter and musician. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians.

Early life

He was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. He was the 11th child of his mother Julia Major Dodds, and 10th child of his father Charles Dodds. When he was born, his father had left his mother. He was brought up by a field worker named Noah Johnson. That is why he chose "Johnson" for his family name.

Early career

He began playing guitar when he was a child. In February 1929 he married Virginia Travis and became serious about playing the guitar. His wife died in childbirth at the age of 16 in April 1930. Johnson began traveling up and down the Delta. Around 1936, one of his friends who helped many of the blues players, helped him join them.

His death happened on August 16, 1938, at the age of twenty-seven from poisoning.

Songs

Eleven grammophone records were made by Robert Johnson with Vocalion during his lifetime, and a twelfth record was made once he had died.

All following songs were released after 1939:

Images for kids

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  Alleged gravesite at Payne Chapel near Quito, with one of Johnson's three tombstones

See also

In Spanish: Robert Johnson para niños