Johnson has a myth associated with him and his music, commonly known as the ‘Devil Legend’. The Devil Legend describes how Johnson encounters the devil in the form of a large black man, who proceeds to tune his guitar and play it, giving Johnson the skills to also make wonderful music. This legend mirrors the German Faust legend of a man selling his soul to the devil in order to gain knowledge; Johnson makes a deal with the devil that enables him to play the guitar in a masterful manner.
Johnson’s musical career started off with him playing gigs on street corners or in restaurants. He was paid little to no money for his efforts, yet he persevered. Johnson also played music that he hadn’t composed. He played what the audience asked him to play, including music that wasn’t within the genre of the blues. Johnson became popular in the towns where he played, and was warmly welcomed if he returned to again play for the people.
After a while of playing for small town audiences, Johnson met with a talent scout named H. C. Speir. Through Speir, Johnson was introduced to a man named Ernie Oertle, who said that he would help to record Johnson in Texas. Some of the pieces that Johnson recorded in San Antonio, Texas were “Come on in My Kitchen”, “Crossroad Blues” and “Kind Hearted Woman Blues” –some of his well known songs. When Johnson recorded his music, he often recorded each song twice to ensure that the best version was released; however, all recordings were kept and may be accessed so that fans can hear both versions of some of their favourite songs.
Unfortunately, Johnson died at the young age of 27 in the year 1938. The cause of his death is uncertain, and many different stories have been told about the event. Some believe that Johnson was poisoned. Allegedly, Johnson drank out of a whiskey bottle containing the poison Strychnine. Over the next few days after drinking from the bottle, Johnson fell ill and eventually passed away.
Although Johnson died before his time, his music has transcended through generations and is still loved by fans to this day.
