May 8, 1911, a boy-child was born in Mississippi – a dirt-poor, African-American who would grow up, learn to sing and play the blues, and eventually achieve worldwide renown. In the decades after his death, he has become known as the King of the Delta Blues Singers, his music expanding in influence to the point that rock stars of the greatest magnitude – the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, the Allman Brothers – all sing his praise and have recorded his songs.
That boy-child was Robert Johnson, an itinerant blues singer and guitarist who lived from (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938). He recorded 29 songs between 1936 and ‘37 for the American Record Corporation, which released eleven 78rpm records on their Vocalion label during Johnson’s lifetime, and one after his death.
Here are some of my favorite Robert Johnson Covers by some of the best Blues Artist of Today.
- Eric Clapton – Stones in My Passway
- Peter Green – Travelling Riverside Blues
- George Thorogood – Kind Hearted Woman
- Delta Moon – Preachin’ Blues
- The Rolling Stones – Stop Breaking Down
- Eric Clapton – Little Queen of Spades
- Cyndi Lauper – Cross Roads (feat. Jonny Lang)
- Blues Cousins – Sweet Home Chicago
- Johnny Never and the Solar Pimps – Love in Vain
- Peter Green & Nigel Watson – Honeymoon Blues
- Eric Clapton – If I had Possession over Judgement Day
- Duane Allman, Bonnie Bramlett & Delaney Bramlett – Come in My Kitchen
- Cassandra Wilson – Hellhound on My Trail
- Bob Dylan – 32-20 Blues
- Carolyn Wonderland – Dust My Broom
- John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers – Ramblin’ on My Mind
- George Thorogood & The Destroyers – I’m a Steady Rollin’ Man
- Foghat – Terraplane Blues
- Bonnie Raitt – Walkin’ Blues
- Peter Green – Drunken Hearted Man
- Eric Clapton – Milkcow Calf Blues
- Rory Block – Last Fair Deal Gone Down
- Doug Legacy & The Donkey Biter – From Four until Late
- Eric Clapton – Me and The Devil Blues
- Johnny Never and The SOlar Pimps – They’re Red Hot
- Peter Green & Nigel Watson – When You Got a Good Friend
- Bob Long – Dead Shrimp Blues
- Eric Clapton – Malted Milk
- Robert Lockwood – I’m Gonna Train My Baby
- Peter Green & Nigel Watson – Phonograph Blues
- Dan Pickett – Baby Don’t you want to Go