Robert Johnson
Hazlehurst, Mississippi Delta blues pioneer who allegedly sold his soul at a crossroads and produced 29 songs that became the foundation of rock guitar technique.
The Cultural Record
Discography
Hazlehurst, Mississippi Delta blues pioneer who allegedly sold his soul at a crossroads and produced 29 songs that became the foundation of rock guitar technique
Awards & Recognition
No Grammy data on record.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1986)
29 recordings
foundation of rock guitar
The Case For Robert Johnson
“The longevity argument alone puts them in a category of one. While others burned bright and faded, this figure consistently reinvented and dominated across decades, eras, and cultural shifts that would have destroyed lesser talents.”
“Technically unmatched. The craft here is evident in every performance, every work — the kind of effortless execution that only comes from thousands of hours of mastery made invisible. They make the impossible look inevitable.”
“Commercial success should never be held against artistic legacy. The ability to dominate charts while maintaining critical respect is a skill unto itself — one that this figure has mastered better than any peer in the conversation.”
Rank History
Ranking history will be available once voting opens for Robert Johnson.
Often Compared To
Muddy Waters
#2Blues — Issaquena County, Mississippi · 1941–1983
Issaquena County, Mississippi Chicago blues architect who electrified Delta blues and laid the foundation for rock and roll — The Rolling Stones named themselves after his song.
Howlin' Wolf
#3Blues — White Station, Mississippi · 1948–1976
White Station, Mississippi blues vocalist whose raw, primal delivery was one of the most distinctive in American music — Rolling Stones and Clapton covered his songs obsessively.