Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson was an American blues musician who lived in the early 20th century. Born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi in 1911, Johnson was orphaned at a young age and spent much of his childhood living with various family members. As a teenager, he began playing guitar and honing his skills as a blues musician.

Johnson’s music was deeply influential in the development of the blues and rock and roll genres. His unique guitar playing style, which combined complex fingerpicking techniques with powerful vocals, became a hallmark of the blues sound.

Johnson’s life was shrouded in mystery, and much of what is known about him comes from myth and legend. He is rumored to have sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads in exchange for his musical talent. Despite his short life, Johnson’s impact on American music has been enormous, and he continues to be revered as one of the greatest blues musicians of all time.

In 1994, the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp in Johnson’s honor as part of its “Blues and Jazz Musicians” series. The stamp features a portrait of Johnson, along with an image of his guitar and the text “Robert Johnson, Blues Legend.” The stamp serves as a tribute to Johnson’s enduring legacy as a trailblazing figure in American music history.