“God help us- because art is long and life is so short.”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Faust: First Part
The Faust legend is older than Goethe’s classic German novel. Here’s the mini-SparkNotes version: Dr. Faustus makes a deal with the devil to gain love… and then there are consequences. This legend has fingerprints all over pop culture, but Faust really makes its presence felt in the blues.
At this point, calling blues music “haunting” is a bit tired. Let’s just say I wouldn’t be the first person to use that word choice.
There is a haunting quality to the blues, especially blues from the early 20th century. Last Kind Words Blues by Geeshie Wiley, recorded in 1930, is a prime example:
Part of the reason why this descriptor looms large is because of folklore. That’s right: folklore! In particular, Faustian folklore is a big player in how we as a culture view the blues and pop music in general.
Let’s take music legend Robert Johnson. He’s arguably the most famous example of the Faustian lore in the blues. Beyond influencing the likes of Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones, Johnson lived hard and died young, and became the founding member of the infamous 27 Club under mysterious circumstances. Some say he was poisoned by the husband of a jealous lover, others say Satan was making his claim. We’ll never know.
Johnson also played soulfully well- almost too well.
Rumors sprung up that he sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his musical skills. Allegedly, Johnson went to The Crossroads in rural Clarksdale, Mississippi and made a deal with Old Scratch: one soul for sweet guitar and lyrical skills.
More than likely, Johnson and his associates probably made up this rumor for a variety of reasons: personal safety in remote locations on the road, creating a “tough guy” myth, or simply an artistic decision to seem more interesting. There’s also evidence to suggest that the rumor was originally about an older bluesman named Tommy Johnson (no relation.)
Robert Johnson’s mournful songs did not help in easing the devil rumors. He seemed to believe the legend as well:
Isn’t that greatness?!
Not much is known about Johnson’s life. As mentioned above, he died at age 27. Only a handful of known photographs exist of him. What we do have is his musical legacy and the Faustian myth surrounding him.
So, what do you think? Did Johnson really sell his soul to the devil? What other famous figures had their own crossroads experiences?
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/16/robert-johnson-sells-soul-devil
http://www.visitthedelta.com/explore_our_region/trip_ideas/robert_johnson.aspx
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2008/11/johnson200811
http://www.bartleby.com/60/204.html
Archived Folk 