Robert Johnson To Be Celebrated By Musicians

Tour and tribute album planned   29-Oct-10

Robert Johnson, the legendary blues guitarist whose story is the source of much myth and mis-understanding, is to be honoured with a tour and tribute album next year.

2011 would mark Robert Johnson's 100th birthday, had he not been poisoned with strychnine by a jealous husband and juke-joint owner. Legend has it, that Johnson was dancing with the wife of the man, who then arranged for a laced bottle of whisky to be handed to Johnson, following this he became ill, and died after days of convulsive pain. He was 27 when he died.

The Blues At The Crossroads tour, will feature Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Hubert Sumlin, Cedric Burnside, Lightnin Malcolm, and David “Honeyboy” Edwards. It will conincide with the release of an album consisting of covers of Robert Johnson's songs.

David "Honeyboy" Edwards was present at the night of Robert Johnson's last show:

“[Edwards and I] both wanted to create a blues show that was not just another blues show, but a show that was truly unique,” said Blues at the Crossroads co-producer Ron Hausfeld. “We want people to walk away saying, ‘Wow, that was cool, I’ve never seen anything like it.'" (quote from Gibson.com)

The name for the show is taken from the blues man's highly respected song Cross Road Blues, which has been covered by Hendrix and Son of Dave. It is also linked to the myth that Robert Johnson met the Devil at the Cross Roads in order to exchange his soul for mastery of the guitar, a myth that is perpetuated by the fact that Johnson disappeared from his hometown as a useless guitarist, and returned with almost unrivalled skill.

Rich Beech
www.StudioParanormal.com