Tommy Johnson (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tommy Johnson
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The only known verified photograph of Tommy Johnson
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| Background information | |
| Born | January 1896 Terry, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | November 1, 1956 (aged 60) Crystal Springs, Mississippi |
| Genres | Delta blues |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1914–1956 |
| Labels | Victor, Paramount |
| Associated acts | Papa Charlie McCoy, Ishman Bracey |
Tommy Johnson (born January 1896 – died November 1, 1956) was an American Delta blues musician. He made recordings in the late 1920s. People knew him for his unique high-pitched voice, called a falsetto, and his amazing guitar skills. He was not related to another famous blues musician named Robert Johnson.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Johnson was born near Terry, Mississippi. Around 1910, he moved to Crystal Springs. He lived there for most of his life. He learned to play the guitar. By 1914, he started earning extra money by playing at local parties. He often played with his brothers, Major and LeDell. In 1916, Johnson got married. He moved to a plantation near Drew, Mississippi. There, he met other musicians like Charlie Patton and Willie Brown.
Music Career and Influence
By 1920, Johnson was a traveling musician. He was based in Crystal Springs but traveled widely across the Southern United States. Sometimes, he performed with Papa Charlie McCoy. In 1928, he made his first recordings with McCoy for Victor Records. One of his songs was "Canned Heat Blues." This song later inspired the blues group Canned Heat to choose their name. Johnson's song "Big Road Blues" also inspired Canned Heat's song "On the Road Again."
Johnson recorded two more times. He recorded for Victor in August 1928. Then he recorded for Paramount Records in December 1929. He did not record again after that. He wrongly believed he had given up his right to make more music. Some people think Paramount Records might have made him think this.
Johnson's recordings made him a top Delta blues singer of his time. He had a strong voice that could change from a deep growl to a high falsetto. He was also a very skilled guitarist. He could even do tricks with his guitar. He would play it between his legs or behind his head. He could also throw it in the air while still playing.
His musical style influenced many later blues singers. These included Robert Nighthawk and Howlin' Wolf. Howlin' Wolf's song "I Asked for Water (She Brought Me Gasoline)" was based on Johnson's "Cool Drink of Water Blues." Johnson also influenced the country singer Hank Williams. Johnson was a talented songwriter. He combined parts of folk poems and his own personal lyrics. He used these with his guitar playing to create amazing blues songs like "Maggie Campbell."
To become more famous, Johnson created a mysterious image. His brother LeDell said that Tommy claimed to have sold his soul to the devil. This was supposedly at a crossroads. In return, he gained his amazing guitar skills. This same story was later also told about Robert Johnson. However, Tommy Johnson was not related to Robert Johnson.
Johnson remained a popular performer in the Jackson area. He played throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Sometimes, he performed with Ishman Bracey. He influenced other musicians because he was happy to teach his style and songs. His impact on local music traditions is described in books by David Evans. These books are Tommy Johnson (1971) and Big Road Blues: Tradition and Creativity in the Folk Blues (1982).
Later Life and Legacy
Johnson passed away from a heart attack in 1956. This happened after he played at a local party. He is buried in the Warm Springs Methodist Church Cemetery. This cemetery is outside Crystal Springs, Mississippi. In April 2000, Johnson's family allowed a headstone to be placed on his grave. The Mt. Zion Memorial Fund helped organize this. This group works to preserve historic African American cemeteries. Blues musician Bonnie Raitt helped pay for the memorial.
The large granite memorial has Johnson's picture carved on it. It also lists some of his most famous songs, as his family requested. It was shown in October 2001 in Crystal Springs. However, it was not placed on his actual grave for another 10 years. This was due to a disagreement. The disagreement was between Johnson's family, the farm owners around the cemetery, and the local government. They disagreed about a damaged road leading to the burial site. The problem was solved in October 2012. This was thanks to research by T.D. Moore from the University of Mississippi. It was announced that the headstone would be put up on October 26 of that year. The headstone had been on display at the Crystal Springs Public Library since 2001. On February 2, 2013, the headstone fell and was damaged. People disagree about whether it fell because it was not secured well or if someone pushed it over.
The Tommy Johnson Blues Festival is held every year in Crystal Springs. It takes place on the third weekend in October. The first festival was held in Jackson and Crystal Springs in 2006.
In Popular Culture
In the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), there is a character named Tommy Johnson. The actor Chris Thomas King played him. This character says he sold his soul to the devil to play guitar. The Tommy Johnson character in the movie plays songs originally recorded by Skip James. He also plays with the Soggy Bottom Boys. This band includes the movie's three main characters plus Johnson. They play the song "Man of Constant Sorrow."
The story of Johnson selling his soul to the devil was first told by his brother, LaDell Johnson. David Evans reported this in his 1971 book about Johnson. This legend was later also connected to the blues musician Robert Johnson.
Discography
Victor Records, 1928, Memphis, Tennessee
- "Canned Heat Blues"
- "Big Road Blues"
Paramount Records, 1929, Grafton, Wisconsin
- "Maggie Campbell Blues"
- "Cool Drink of Water Blues"
See also
In Spanish: Tommy Johnson (músico) para niños
