A Mississippi Mystery

How many grave sites should be prepared for me? Just one. For Robert Johnson, there were three, all in the Mississippi Delta: Morgan City, Quito, and (near) Greenwood. Which is right? Do we KNOW? Those who have taken the time to do research believe Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church near Greenwood is most likely. At age 27, in 1938, he died near that town--so young, with talent so great. In the early 1900’s, this youngster’s genius was unfurled. As blues singer, guitarist, and lyricist, he gifted the world with recordings exhibiting style that has been admired widely and emulated by popular performers who aspired to greater fame. They achieved the kudos they desired. Muddy Waters, Bob Dylan, and Chuck Berry are among those influenced by his style. Every admirer who knows the legend that ambition drove Johnson to sell his soul to the Devil for greater talent would surely say his goal was reached without Old Scratch playing a role. What caused the death of the “Cross Road Blues” and “Sweet Home Chicago” performer? There are clues centering around his unbridled boozing and womanizing. Did a jealous husband poison his whiskey upon realizing a flirtation or worse, just as Johnson's star was rising? Or did he die of syphilis? These stories floated around, and others. Thirty years later, a death certificate was found, stating no cause of death. Some facts, we may never know. It IS known that this musical master's climb to fame was slow. It's nothing new that, after death, renown may grow. Johnson's posthumous claim to fame is no big mystery. Beginning in the nineteen sixties, the world would see a surge of interest in his music. To Eric Clapton, he seems "The most important blues singer that ever lived." Teams of researchers have tried to capture his life and dreams. King of the Delta Blues Singers, a collection of his best, was produced by Columbia in 1961. Writers faced a test: dealing with conflicts and gaps in accounts while collecting information for biographies and films. While "connecting the dots," they learned that sources require dissecting. Death, no respecter of talent or youth, is bold, stalking and striking down rich or poor, young or old. Mysteries of life and death often remain unsolved, though diligent research may be involved.