BROTHER ROBERT

One of the problems we encounter around Robert Johnson’s history is that so little is known about the man himself. We know he was born in 1911 and that he died at the age of 27 in 1938. A virtuoso guitarist and singer – someone who Eric Clapton refers to as “the most important blues singer who ever lived” – he was recorded only twice: once in San Antonio in 1936 and again in Dallas a year later. Both sessions resulted in a total of 29 songs that have gone on to influence generation upon generation of blues guitarists and singers ever since.

“On the bayou there was a platform that extended out onto the water. In front of our house, he would sit there and play his guitar”
ANNYE C ANDERSON

A new book released in the summer of last year aims to shade in some of Johnson’s hitherto unknown background. Entitled Brother Robert: Growing Up With Robert Johnson (Hachette Books), it was authored by Johnson’s stepsister, Annye C Anderson, and it paints an entirely different picture to that of the troubled 20-something who visited the