Who Is Robert Johnson? Age, Biography and Wiki
Robert Johnson, born on May 8, 1911, was an influential American blues musician whose life was tragically cut short in 1938. This iconic figure, often hailed as the "King of the Delta Blues," has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Known for his exceptional talent on the guitar and his hauntingly soulful voice, Johnson's work laid the groundwork for numerous genres, including rock and roll. Although he passed away at a young age of 27, his legacy continues to resonate, with his music influencing countless artists.
| Occupation | Blues Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 8, 1911 |
| Age | 27 Years |
| Birth Place | Hazlehurst, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 16 August, 1938 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Robert Johnson's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
- Height: 5 feet 8 inches (approximately)
- Weight: Not concretely documented, but believed to be around 160 lbs at the height of his career.
- Body Measurements: Specific body measurements are largely unavailable, but Johnson's athletic build complemented his dynamic stage presence.
An important aspect of Johnson's singing was his use of microtonality. These subtle inflections of pitch help explain why his singing conveys such powerful emotion. Eric Clapton described Johnson's music as "the most powerful cry that I think you can find in the human voice".
In two takes of "Me and the Devil Blues" he shows a high degree of precision in the complex vocal delivery of the last verse: "The range of tone he can pack into a few lines is astonishing." The song's "hip humor and sophistication" is often overlooked.
"[G]enerations of blues writers in search of wild Delta primitivism", wrote Wald, have been inclined to overlook or undervalue aspects that show Johnson as a polished professional performer.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Robert Johnson's personal life was shrouded in mystery, and significant information about his family and relationships remains scarce due to the passage of time. It is known that he had a tumultuous love life with several rumored romantic involvement, but he never married. The identity of a significant other or girlfriend remains largely speculative, preserving the intrigue surrounding his personal relationships.
Julia was married to Charles Dodds (born February 1865), a relatively prosperous landowner and furniture maker, with whom she had ten children. Charles Dodds had been forced by a lynch mob to leave Hazlehurst following a dispute with white landowners.
Julia left Hazlehurst with baby Robert, but in less than two years she brought the boy to Memphis to live with her husband, who had changed his name to Charles Spencer.
Robert spent the next 8–9 years growing up in Memphis and attending the Carnes Avenue Colored School where he received lessons in arithmetic, reading, language, music, geography, and physical exercise. It was in Memphis that he acquired his love for, and knowledge of, the blues and popular music.
His education and city upbringing placed him apart from most of his contemporary blues musicians.
Net Worth and Salary
Given that Robert Johnson passed away in 1938, quantifying his net worth in 2025 is challenging. Nonetheless, his legacy has led to substantial earning potential through posthumous album sales, royalties, and biographical portrayals. Today, estimates put his estate's worth in the millions, primarily generated through licensing his music for films, documentaries, and various media.
Career, Business, and Investments
Robert Johnson's career, albeit brief, was groundbreaking. He recorded only 29 songs during his lifetime, yet these tracks showcased his unique slide guitar technique and profound lyrical depth. His influence can be felt across various genres, inspiring rock legends like Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, and countless others.
His business engagements are not well-documented, but his significant influence has led to many reissues of his works and compilations that have contributed to his posthumous earnings.
Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938) was an American blues musician and songwriter. His singing, guitar playing and songwriting on his landmark 1936 and 1937 recordings have influenced later generations of musicians.
Although his recording career spanned only seven months, he is recognized as a master of the blues, particularly the Delta blues style, and as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as perhaps "the first ever rock star".
Social Network
In the modern age of social media, Robert Johnson's legacy is celebrated across various platforms. Though he himself was not part of the digital world, his music has a robust online presence. Fans and historians frequently share his music, historic performances, and interpretations of his influence on channels like:
- Facebook: Fan pages dedicated to his life and music
- Instagram: Posts highlighting his iconic images and quotes
- YouTube: Channels featuring his recordings and documentaries about his life.
As a traveling 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.
He had only two recording sessions both produced by Don Law, one in San Antonio in 1936, and one in Dallas in 1937, that produced 29 distinct songs (with 13 surviving alternate takes). These songs, recorded solo in improvised studios, were the sum of his recorded output.
Most were released as 10-inch, 78 rpm singles from 1937–1938, with a few released after his death. Other than these recordings, very little was known of his life outside of the small musical circuit in the Mississippi Delta where he spent most of his time. Much of his story has been reconstructed by researchers.
Johnson's poorly documented life and death have given rise to legends. The one most often associated with him is that he sold his soul to the devil at a local crossroads in return for musical success.
Education
While details about Robert Johnson’s formal education remain sparse, it's widely believed that he honed his musical skills from local blues musicians and through self-teaching. His passion for music propelled him to travel, where he absorbed various styles and incorporated them into his own sound.
Renewed interest in Johnson's work and life led to a burst of scholarship starting in the 1960s. Much of what is known about him was reconstructed by researchers such as Gayle Dean Wardlow and Bruce Conforth, especially in their 2019 award-winning biography of Johnson: Up Jumped the Devil: The Real Life of Robert Johnson (Chicago Review Press).
Two films, the 1991 documentary The Search for Robert Johnson by John Hammond Jr., and a 1997 documentary, Can't You Hear the Wind Howl?: The Life & Music of Robert Johnson, which included reconstructed scenes with Keb' Mo' as Johnson, attempted to document his life, and demonstrated the difficulties arising from the scant historical record and con
flicting oral accounts.
Over the years, the significance of Johnson and his music has been recognized by the Rock and Roll, Grammy, and Blues Halls of Fame, and by the National Recording Preservation Board.
