Robert Johnson (partially lost recordings of blues singer; late 1930s): Difference between revisions

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{{NeedingWork|lack of clarity (is this about his music or recordings) and references}}
{{NeedingWork|lack of clarity (is this about his music, his recordings or both?) and references}}
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'''Robert Johnson''' is a legendary blues guitarist that helped lay many of the roots for rock music in the coming decades. Johnson's life is shrouded in mystery. He is rumored to sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his skills. He was the among the first of many influential musicians to die at the age of 27, being a member of what many refer to as the "27 Club".
'''Robert Johnson''' is a legendary blues guitarist that helped lay many of the roots for rock music in the coming decades. Johnson's life is shrouded in mystery. He is rumored to sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his skills. He was the among the first of many influential musicians to die at the age of 27, being a member of what many refer to as the "27 Club".


Johnson was recorded only twice during his lifetime. Alan Lomax, a man who was searching for talented musical acts to record, discovered Johnson and recorded him in a hotel room (reportedly with his back turned to Lomax) for a couple of thousand dollars in 1937. Johnson then disappeared for several months before returning to record for Lomax in 1938. He died a few months later, before he could record any more tracks. Lomax circulated around a few single records of some of Johnson's songs.
Johnson was recorded only twice during his lifetime. Alan Lomax, a man who was searching for talented musical acts to record, discovered Johnson and recorded him in a hotel room (reportedly with his back turned to Lomax) for a couple of thousand dollars in 1937. Johnson then disappeared for several months before returning to record for Lomax in 1938. He died a few months later before he could record any more tracks. Lomax circulated around a few single records of some of Johnson's songs.


In total, about 29 songs were thought to have been recorded, with some alternate takes. All of the tracks combined totaled to 42 recordings. In the 60s, ''King Of Delta Blues Singers Volumes I ''and ''II'' were released. They were thought to be the most complete collections until 1989, when a few of the alternate takes were discovered in a vault. In 1990, ''The Complete Recordings'' was released and is, to this day, the most complete collection of Johnson's recordings. For years, many thought that all of Johnson's recordings were accounted for.
In total, about 29 songs were thought to have been recorded, with some alternate takes. All of the tracks combined totaled to 42 recordings. In the 60s, ''King Of Delta Blues Singers Volumes I ''and ''II'' was released. They were thought to be the complete collections until 1989 when a few of the alternate takes were discovered in a vault. In 1990, ''The Complete Recordings'' was released and is, to this day, the complete collection of Johnson's recordings. For years, many thought that all of Johnson's recordings were accounted for.


Then, in the 2000s, it was revealed by scholar Tom Graves that according to some paperwork done by Lomax in the 30s, there were a whopping 59 recordings total of Johnson's blues songs. It is unknown what happened to the remaining 17 songs, but it is entirely possible that Lomax may have issued out some of the missing tracks as single records over the years. Unless the master tapes emerge any time soon, this may be the only chance any of these tracks have of surfacing.
Then, in the 2000s, it was revealed by scholar Tom Graves that according to some paperwork done by Lomax in the 30s, there were a whopping 59 recordings total of Johnson's blues songs. It is unknown what happened to the remaining 17 songs, but it is entirely possible that Lomax may have issued out some of the missing tracks as single records over the years. Unless the master tapes emerge anytime soon, this may be the only chance any of these tracks have of surfacing.




[[Category:Lost music]]
[[Category:Lost music]]
[[Category:Lost recordings of real incidents]]
[[Category:Lost recordings of real incidents]]

Revision as of 01:49, 13 December 2017

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This article has been tagged as Needing work due to its lack of clarity (is this about his music, his recordings or both?) and references.



One of three surviving photos of Johnson.

Status: Lost

Robert Johnson is a legendary blues guitarist that helped lay many of the roots for rock music in the coming decades. Johnson's life is shrouded in mystery. He is rumored to sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his skills. He was the among the first of many influential musicians to die at the age of 27, being a member of what many refer to as the "27 Club".

Johnson was recorded only twice during his lifetime. Alan Lomax, a man who was searching for talented musical acts to record, discovered Johnson and recorded him in a hotel room (reportedly with his back turned to Lomax) for a couple of thousand dollars in 1937. Johnson then disappeared for several months before returning to record for Lomax in 1938. He died a few months later before he could record any more tracks. Lomax circulated around a few single records of some of Johnson's songs.

In total, about 29 songs were thought to have been recorded, with some alternate takes. All of the tracks combined totaled to 42 recordings. In the 60s, King Of Delta Blues Singers Volumes I and II was released. They were thought to be the complete collections until 1989 when a few of the alternate takes were discovered in a vault. In 1990, The Complete Recordings was released and is, to this day, the complete collection of Johnson's recordings. For years, many thought that all of Johnson's recordings were accounted for.

Then, in the 2000s, it was revealed by scholar Tom Graves that according to some paperwork done by Lomax in the 30s, there were a whopping 59 recordings total of Johnson's blues songs. It is unknown what happened to the remaining 17 songs, but it is entirely possible that Lomax may have issued out some of the missing tracks as single records over the years. Unless the master tapes emerge anytime soon, this may be the only chance any of these tracks have of surfacing.