Robert Johnson
For other people named Robert Johnson, see Robert Johnson (disambiguation). 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, U.S. 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. Johnson's poorly documented life and death at age 27 have given rise to much legend. One Faustian myth says that he sold his soul to the devil at a local crossroads of Mississippi highways to achieve