Meta Description: Discover the mysterious and tragic death of Robert Johnson, the King of the Delta Blues Singers. Unravel the events in Greenwood that led to his untimely demise at the age of 27.
Robert Johnson, often hailed as the King of the Delta Blues Singers, lived a brief yet impactful life in the Mississippi Delta. His legacy, steeped in the lore of blues music, remains unparalleled. Johnson’s life was marked by tragedy, beginning with the loss of his wife during childbirth at just 18, and culminating in his mysterious and untimely death in Greenwood, Mississippi, at the age of 27. This article delves into the final days of Robert Johnson and the events that led to his tragic end.
The Final Days of Robert Johnson in Greenwood
In August 1938, six years into his itinerant life as a blues musician, Robert Johnson arrived in Greenwood, Mississippi, just over 100 miles from his birthplace. The previous year, he had recorded 29 unique songs, laying the foundation for what would later evolve into rhythm and blues, and ultimately, rock and roll. During this time, Johnson also crossed paths with David “Honeyboy” Edwards, a young bluesman who would become his companion on the juke joint circuit throughout the Delta.
Johnson, Edwards, and fellow Mississippi native Sonny Boy Williamson soon settled in Greenwood, performing at the Three Forks juke joint. However, it was here that Johnson’s life took a fatal turn. On August 16, 1938, at just 27 years old, Robert Johnson died under mysterious circumstances, sparking one of the most enduring legends in blues history.
The Mysterious Death of Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson’s death remains shrouded in mystery, with tales of jealousy, betrayal, and poison. According to Honeyboy Edwards, Johnson had developed a reputation for his love of whiskey and women. Unfortunately, this led him to an ill-fated affair with the wife of the Three Forks proprietor.
One fateful night, on August 13, 1938, Johnson was served a glass of whiskey laced with poison—likely naphthalene or strychnine. The drink was allegedly handed to him by the woman he was involved with, on the orders of her husband. Soon after consuming the tainted drink, Johnson fell gravely ill. Honeyboy found him slumped in a corner, unable to perform and complaining of severe sickness. Over the next two days, Johnson’s condition worsened dramatically. He was moved to the home of a local farmer, where he spent his final hours in agony, “crawling round like a dog, just howling” before succumbing to the poison.
The Legacy of Robert Johnson’s Tragic End
Johnson’s death certificate did not list an official cause of death, and no one was ever charged with his murder. Theories have since emerged, suggesting that congenital syphilis or Marfan syndrome may have exacerbated his condition. However, these chronic ailments alone do not account for the sudden and violent manner of his death. Johnson’s friend, Johnny Shines, corroborated Honeyboy’s account, recalling that Johnson “barked and howled like a dog before he died.”
The tragic and mysterious death of Robert Johnson only adds to his legendary status as a blues musician. His music, often dubbed “the devil’s music,” and the legend of his supposed deal with the devil at a Mississippi crossroads, have cemented his place in music history. Yet, behind the mythology lies the story of a man whose life was cut short by an act of jealousy and revenge.
