Posted in: Musicouching by C Jordan on January 22nd, 2009 | 37 Comments
So you thought you knew about music?
For various reasons, in1930 Robert moved back to the town of his birth, Hazlehurst, Mississippi.
In 1932 he went back to Robinsonville, and played again for House and Brown. They were astounded by the quality and originality of his style to such an extent that Son House said “he must have done a deal with the devil to get that good, that quick.”
So the legend was born.
However playing songs entitled “Crossroad Blues” and “Me and the Devil Blues” would not help to dispel the story.
Nor would his “womanising” or the way in which he died.
He died on August 16, 1938 at the age of 27 by drinking whisky poisoned, it is thought, by a club owner with whose wife he was “fooling around”.
On the sleeve notes of the album “Robert Johnson: Old School Blues”, Joe Cushley writes: “his use of diminished chords and his innovative use of the boogie bass… had Keith Richards (of The Rolling Stones) convinced there were two guitars playing when he first heard it.” He also quotes Eric Clapton saying “His remains the most powerful cry you can find in the human voice.”
In the two years that he was away from Robinsonville, honing his skills, did Robert Johnson sell his soul to the devil?
Only Robert Johnson will ever know …….and the devil.
“Elvis has left the building” This well known phrase usually indicates that the show is over. But where does it come from and who said it?
Horace Lee Logan said it.
On October16th 1954 the 19 year old Elvis appeared on the radio show, “Louisiana Hayride” in front of a live audience. The young Elvis at this time had not yet developed his stage presence and the reception by the audience was said to be “polite”. However Logan recognised his potential and signed him up for more appearances.
In the next two years Elvis’s career reached the verge of superstardom. He bought out his contract with “Louisiana Hayride” on the agreement that he would play at one last show. This he did on December 15th 1956.
10,000 screaming fans turned up for the show and continued screaming right through Elvis’s forty-five minute set. When Elvis left the stage the audience headed for the exits, even though there were still acts waiting to play. In desperation Logan grabbed the microphone: “Please, young people . . . Elvis has left the building. He has gotten in his car and driven away. . . . Please take your seats.”
This was the first, but not the last time, that it was used at an Elvis performance.
Other music articles by this author:
The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, U2, Muse: my Generation
Also by this author
10 Offbeat, Bizarre and Wacky Facts
Amazing Discovery: Answers to the Secrets of Life Uncovered in Postcards
More High Jinks on the High Seas
Danger Alert: Christmas is Coming, Be Prepared
Four Classic Quotes to Memorize for Halloween or How to Get Thrown Out of the Neighbourhood
Debra. January 22nd, 2009 at 7:22 am
Well done with great detail.
God bless.
Rask Balavoine January 22nd, 2009 at 7:23 am
Another good one. I long for the day when someone includes me in a list of strange facts and publishes it on Triond!
Sharona January 22nd, 2009 at 8:19 am
Great! I have learned a lot from this one.
Patrick Bernauw January 22nd, 2009 at 9:40 am
That was a great little list, Chris!…
I especially liked the Robert Johnson Story! Gonna blog this with a link etc if I may! (And digg it,too!)
C Jordan January 22nd, 2009 at 11:58 am
Thanks, Patrick feel free. Same goes for anybody else, just don’t cut and paste.
Since Patrick didn’t spam me his site is http://murdermysterygame.blogspot.com/
Lost in Arizona January 22nd, 2009 at 12:20 pm
23 stratocastors?! What was that guy smoking..lol?
Glynis Smy January 22nd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
That was interesting!
Bo Russo January 22nd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Fascinating work,CJ.I was not aware of any of these.
Louie Jerome January 22nd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
An interesting read. These were all new to me. I know lots of strange people but none of those mentioned above!
Joie Schmidt January 22nd, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Wow… thanks for sharing this unique article.
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
s hayes January 22nd, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Top article, interesting, entertaining, well researched and put together !
nutuba January 22nd, 2009 at 4:08 pm
This is interesting and informative! I enjoyed reading this — nicely done.
Chambo January 22nd, 2009 at 4:36 pm
These are some excellent facts. I knew of none of them. Well doen C Jordan. RJ
Clay Hurtubise January 22nd, 2009 at 4:49 pm
The ’suicide song’ is very interesting, thanks for the research and sharing.
Clay
Blue Buttefly January 22nd, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Very informative!
papaleng January 22nd, 2009 at 7:02 pm
wow! this is fun, learn lots of things friend.. Nice article.
James DeVere January 22nd, 2009 at 7:29 pm
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Compelling read – is there something
wrong with the images? Always get a
great laugh out of you CJ – Thanks . j
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rutherfranc January 22nd, 2009 at 7:39 pm
you were right, never knew this things.. thanks for the share
Betty Carew January 22nd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Lots of things here I didn’t know Great informative article
Jade Brooks January 23rd, 2009 at 12:42 am
Wow…alot of interesting facts…The Happy Birthday really stuck in my head 10,000. I like this piece.
Inna Tysoe January 23rd, 2009 at 2:11 am
That was interesting.
Thanks for that!
Inna
Poetic Enigma January 23rd, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Great article
Very interesting information,
Definately didnt know,
well put together
PR Mace January 23rd, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Very interesting. I knew about Happy Birthday and I enjoyed the facts about Elvis. I learned a few new things tonight, thanks.
Bick Parker January 23rd, 2009 at 11:32 pm
My knowledge of music is very limited, or it used to be till I read this article. Nice work, easy on the eye to read.
Lancashire, eh? I’m just next door! Eeh bah gum!
AC Hamilton III January 24th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Really nice work, full of lots of interesting gems of fact. The last one is very sad about the three young men taken by a mob.
AC
Melody SJAL January 25th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Very intriguing and interesting stuff, thanks, Chris.
Shari86 January 27th, 2009 at 10:33 am
I actually didn’t know any of those facts, except for the Beatles one, much more interesting than your typical ‘Top 10′ or ‘10 Most’ articles that you would find here.
eddiego65 January 28th, 2009 at 4:19 am
Interesting trivia. Great article.
Ruby Hawk January 28th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Very intgeresting and some of it I didn’t know.Black Sunday for one. I knew about Happy Birthday but how are they going chase all of us dodwn who sing Happy Birthday? Interesting facts.
nobert soloria bermosa January 31st, 2009 at 4:04 pm
very interesting-i particularly like the trivia about the ‘happy birthday’ song,thanks
Bozsi Rose February 2nd, 2009 at 3:09 pm
#5 is my favorite. Oh ABBA!
spiritwalker February 2nd, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Really good. You got your facts straight. I was born and raised in Mississippi and those were some of the stories I would hear when I was little. Although there is a rumor that a lot of vehicular accidents occur at the crossroads. I have been there and it is eerie. I love Elvis. Thanks for the info on guitars. I never knew the smashed ones were so expensive.
Fegger February 12th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Interesting collection; and especially how you sort of structured them within the same space…great mix for broad appeal (Big “Who” fan, btw)
Rod Ferrandino March 26th, 2009 at 10:43 am
This is what “ten” lists should be be like; I like your slightly warped view. Of course, it could be everything else that’s warped.
chris73 April 28th, 2009 at 4:07 am
About The Who. I ve heard (i can not remember where but maybe even in a bands interview) that once, accidentaly Pete Townsend broke a guitar as he turned his body on a small stage. Fans found it exciting and thats why the continued that kind of show!
Who Fan June 8th, 2009 at 4:37 am
I would check you facts on the Who. My Generation was at Number 2! Substitue Number 5! The list goes on!
C Jordan June 8th, 2009 at 7:23 am
I also like the Who. I was lucky enough to see them in concert while Keith Moon was alive. Of course the Who didn’t smash their equipment up because they did not get to number one! That comment is just a bit of fun. As for what exact number they got to depends on which chart you are looking at. As you confirm, the point is, surprisingly, they never had a number one.