Sabbatai Eye

207) Robert “Junior” Lockwood (Mar. 27, 1915 - Nov. 21, 2006), born in Turkey Scratch, Arkansas - common law step-son and protege of legendary bluesman Robert Johnson. This image was taken at a Festival of American Folklife dedicated to the music of Robert Johnson held by the Smithsonian on the National Mall at Washington, D.C. in 1990.

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115) Johnny Shines (Apr. 26, 1915 - Apr. 20, 1992) - Taught by and traveled through the south with legendary bluesman Robert Johnson. This image was taken at a Festival of American Folklife dedicated to the music of Robert Johnson held by the Smithsonian on the National Mall at Washington, D.C. in 1990.

11.8.10

97) Robert Johnson Monument - Morgan City, Mississippi - “King of the Delta Blues Singers”… and guitarists. The legend goes that Robert Johnson made a deal with the devil himself at the infamous Crossroads, presumably in nearby Clarksdale. The deal was that he would sell his soul to Mr. D in exchange for dazzling guitar playing technique, which he undeniably possessed, as evidenced in 2 Texas recording sessions done between 1936 and 1937. Johnson died in 1938 at the age of just 27, probably poisoned by a jealous husband at a Mississippi juke joint.

This monument in the middle of miles of cotton fields (which I drove through to get this shot) in front of tiny Mount Zion Baptist Church was funded and erected by Columbia Records, who also paid off the church’s debt. Some believe that there is strong evidence that Robert Johnson was indeed buried here.

10.27.10