<P> 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 success . As an itinerant performer who played mostly on street corners , in juke joints , and at Saturday night dances , Johnson had little commercial success or public recognition in his lifetime . </P>
<P> 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 success . As an itinerant performer who played mostly on street corners , in juke joints , and at Saturday night dances , Johnson had little commercial success or public recognition in his lifetime . </P>
sold soul to the devil to play guitar
sold soul to the devil to play guitar
Robert Leroy Johnson
Robert Leroy Johnson