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May 07
Steven Johnson, Grandson of Robert Johnson, Interview - Gibson.com

Few artists have had as great an impact on the history of popular music with such a relatively small body of recorded work as Robert Johnson. The famed Delta bluesman recorded just 29 songs over two years before his life was cut short in August 1938 under dubious circumstances. Nevertheless, Johnson’s music continues to resonate in both the worlds of blues and rock. Artists like Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Peter Green have all paid homage to the King of the Delta Blues Singers, with Clapton calling him “the most important blues singer that ever lived.”

One of the foremost authorities on Robert Johnson is his grandson, Steven Johnson, who works closely with the Robert Johnson Blues Foundation to preserve his grandfather’s legacy through the provision of art education, competitions and scholarships. Steven Johnson was kind enough to sit down with Gibson.com in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of Robert Johnson’s birth on May 8.

Read Part 1 of the Gibson.com interview

Read Part 2 of the Gibson.com interview
May 07
Robert Johnson Featured On NPR Weekend Edition

Robert Johnson was featured on NPR's Weekend Edition today, and audio from their broadcast is available below. In an accompanying article, NPR wrote:

Sunday marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Robert Johnson. Although he recorded just 29 songs, the bluesman had a huge influence on guitarists such as Eric Clapton and Keith Richards. Johnson is one of the most studied of all country blues musicians, and he's been the subject of many books, films and essays. But the mythology surrounding his life just won't go away.

If you know anything about Johnson, chances are it's the story that he sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads in exchange for his musical talent. That legend reached a mainstream audience with the 1986 movie Crossroads, starring Joe Seneca and Ralph Macchio.

But according to folklorist Barry Lee Pearson, it didn't happen.

Read more at NPR.org.
May 06
VIP Deal Today Only For The Complete Original Masters!

While supplies last, celebrate the 100th birthday of one of the true geniuses of American music - this is the ultimate collector's vinyl piece for any Robert Johnson fan - at the VIP Pop Market discount price of $299.99!

Robert Johnson he Complete Original Masters
  • Twelve 10" vinyl singles
  • Vintage style 10x10-inch multi-sleeve hardbound book
  • Deluxe book w/ 1500-word essay, track annotation, discographic data & more
  • Strictly Limited Release

Recreated in the historical look and feel of the twelve 10" 78rpm discs that originally carried Robert Johnson's music into the world in 1936 and 1937 (only playing at 45rpm), this Limited Edition collector's set will be individually numbered to 1000. Housed in an actual 78rpm album book - each "page" being a sleeve holding a single disc - each vinyl disc is outfitted with reproductions of the original record labels. Also included is a unique booklet with new essays telling the updated story of Robert Johnson, photos and more!

Sale starts at 12 PM EDT and lasts only until Monday, May 9th, 12 PM EDT! Supplies are limited!

Not a Pop Market member? Join for free now to get hot deals on the coolest music.
May 06
You've Never Heard Robert Johnson's 'Complete Recordings'?!

NPR’s All Songs Considered published a fresh perspective on Robert Johnson today. You can read their article here, and tune in to NPR's Weekend Edition on Saturday, May 7th for a piece on "The Complete Original Masters: Centennial Edition." Until then, here's some historical context on Robert Johnson's song "Hellhound On My Trail."
May 05
Salutes Mark Bluesman Robert Johnson's Centennial

When bluesman Robert Johnson died broke and all but unknown in a tiny Mississippi crossroads town, he was buried in a homemade coffin and an unmarked grave. Yet, a century after he came into this world, his eerie blues still influence artists from Eric Clapton to John Mayer, and his legacy continues to be celebrated.

"I'm amazed by it after all these years," Steven Johnson said of his grandfather's musical legacy. "It seems like it just passed down from generation to generation."

Steven Johnson will be part of a big party that begins Thursday in Greenwood, the small Mississippi Delta town, where Johnson had been playing his music on a street corner shortly before his death.

The free celebration will feature an art exhibit, tours of Johnson's haunts and other historic blues sites, as well as live music Friday and Saturday from Bobby Rush, The Cedric Burnside Project, Keb' Mo', Alvin Youngblood Hart and others. The event is sponsored by the Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Read more at The Associated Press.
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