Fact file:

Robert Johnson
Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 August 16, 1938) was an
American blues singer and musician. His landmark recordings from
19361937 displayed a remarkable combination of singing, guitar
skills, and songwriting talent that have influenced generations of
musicians. Johnson's shadowy, poorly documented life and death at
age 27 have given rise to much legend, including a Faustian myth.
Johnson's songs, vocal phrasing and guitar style have influenced a
broad range of musicians; Eric Clapton has called Johnson "the most
important blues singer that ever lived" Johnson was inducted into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an "Early Influence" in their first
induction ceremony in 1986. He was ranked fifth in Rolling Stone's
list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.