May 8 marks hundred years of birth of the famous bluesman Robert Johnson. At least officially, as the exact date of his birth is unknown. But, the man’s influence on rock’n’roll and all other blues related music genres is impossible to measure. The majority of Johnson’s music was recorded between 1936 and 1937, long before rock’n’roll really had its name. But in 1961 his music was reissued on an LP and the young rockers embraced Johnson as a great precursor of their music. Black blues musicians of the 50s, like Howlin’ Wolf and Dinah Washington were a link, as they were playing Robert Johnson’s songs even before the 1961 LP. British rockers like Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones followed and brought Johnson’s music to the masses. Still, two of my favorite Johnson’s rock’n’roll covers belong to the 80s underground era: Rainer Ptacek’s version of If I Had Possession Over The Judgment Day and Gun Club’s Preachin’ The Blues. But indisputable strength of Johnson’s quality as a songwriter and guitar player is not the only link to the rock’n’roll. His entire short life is filled with mysticism, charisma and myth that also became an essential fabric for a decent rock’n’roll biography. Today, we pay a tribute to that.

Beck – Last Fair Deal Gone Down;
Robert Johnson – If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day;
Rainer and Das Combo – (If I Had) Possession Over Judgement Day;
Gun Club – Preaching The Blues;
Robert Johnson – Preachin’ The Blues;
Robert Johnson – Terraplane Blues;
Canned Heat – Terraplane Blues;
Some Girls – Malted Milk.ogg
Robert Johnson – Malted Milk;
Robert Johnson – Walking Blues;
Hindu Love Gods – Walkin’ Blues;
Cream – Crossroads;
Robert Johnson – Crossroads Blues;
Robert Johnson – Kindhearted Woman Blues;
Muddy Waters – Kind Hearted Woman;
Lucinda Williams – Ramblin’ On My Mind;
Robert Johnson – Ramblin’ On My Mind;
Robert Johnson – Love In Vain Blues;
The Rolling Stones – Love in Vain;
Robert Johnson – Last Fair Deal Gone Down.