#715 The Legend of Robert Johnson

Sound Opinions

Music, Society & Culture, Arts

4.3 • 2K Ratings

🗓️ 9 August 2019

⏱️ 58 minutes

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Summary

For decades, the myths surrounding Robert Johnson overshadowed his contributions as a singer, songwriter and guitarist. From the legend that he sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads to mystery surrounding his untimely death at age 27, the truths of Johnson’s life have remained untold. This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with music historian Bruce Conforth about Johnson’s career, death and working to give the guitarist his identity back. They also share some of their favorite covers of Johnson's songs.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello, Chicago! From W.B Chicago and PRX, this is sound opinions. I'm Jim De Regattis.
0:29.0	And I'm Greg Kott. Blues legend Robert Johnson's talents as a guitarist and performer are often
0:35.4	overshadowed by myths. Did he really sell his solo to the devil at the crossroads?
0:40.3	To hear Robert Johnson was just like to hear somebody from outer space.
0:44.4	It was totally revolutionary.
0:46.7	We'll explore Robert Johnson's life, music, and legacy.
0:50.4	That's all coming up on sound opinions. And I said, hello, I'm,
0:56.0	I believe it's time to go. I went to the trow-road,
1:04.0	Bell down on my knee. I went to the crossroads
1:17.0	to the crossroads
1:18.0	there down on money
1:22.0	You're listening to sound opinions and this week we are talking about a
1:26.7	blues musician whose myth looms larger than life Robert Johnson. His
1:31.8	influence on pop music is deep and lasting, persisting to this day,
1:36.0	even though there's very little recorded music by him out there.
1:40.0	A large part of that legacy is because of the myth that he sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads in exchange for his signature guitar playing prowess.
1:49.0	And believe it or not, the mystery only escalated from there, Jim.
1:53.3	Born in 1911, Johnson displayed this really great stage presence
1:57.4	from the moment people started watching him perform.
2:00.4	A lot of talent, a lot of potential, but he died suddenly at the age of 27 under
2:04.9	a very suspicious circumstances and that's an understatement that was 81
2:09.6	years ago this month and since then there have been all kinds of rumors and stories
	...

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