Robert Johnson

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/robert-johnson

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Robert Johnson born?May 8, 1911, Hazlehurst, Mississippi
2. When did Robert Johnson die?August 16, 1938, Greenwood, Mississippi (age 27)
3. What is the musical style?Delta blues, known for intricate guitar work and emotive vocals
4. What is the key recordings?29 songs recorded in 1936 and 1937, including 'Cross Road Blues'
5. Who was Robert Johnson?Robert Johnson was a blues guitarist from the Mississippi Delta, born in 1911. He became famous for his powerful guitar playing and singing.
6. Why do people say he made a deal with the devil?The legend of a deal with the devil grew from his sudden, amazing skill. People made this myth to explain how a little-known musician could play so well.

Delta Blues: A regional subgenre of blues music originating in the Mississippi Delta, characterized by its raw, often percussive guitar playing.
Slide Guitar: A guitar playing technique where a smooth, hard object (like a glass or metal slide) is pressed against the strings to create a gliding sound.
Folklore: The traditions, customs, and beliefs of a community, often passed down through stories and legends.
Influential: Having a significant effect on the development or character of something or someone else.