Blind Willie Johnson

"Blind" Willie Johnson (c. 1902-1945), was a blues and gospel musician, one of the greatest exponents of slide or bottleneck guitar, as well as one of the most revered figures of depression-era gospel music. His music is distinguishable by his powerful bass strumming and gravelly false-bass voice, with occasional use of a tenor voice.

Related Topics:
1902 - 1945 - Blues - Gospel - Musician - Slide - Bottleneck - Guitar - Depression-era - Gospel

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While 1902 is most frequently given as his year of birth, earlier dates or estimates are also given; he may have been born as early as 1897. According to different sources, Johnson was either born in Marlin, Texas or at least spent part of his childhood there. Johnson was not born blind, and, although it is not specifically known how his condition came about, it is widely believed that his stepmother, in a fit of rage, blinded him when he was 7 years old by throwing lye in his face.

Related Topics:
1897 - Marlin, Texas - Blind - Lye

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Like many destitute people with physical disabilities at the time, Blind Willie Johnson earned his living from music. His father would often leave him on street corners to sing for money, where his powerful voice left an indelible impression on passersby (legend has it that he was arrested for nearly starting a riot at a New Orleans courthouse with a powerful rendition of "If I Had My Way I'd Tear the Building Down", a song about Samson and Delilah).

Related Topics:
New Orleans - Samson - Delilah

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Johnson remained poor until the end, preaching and singing in the streets to anyone who would listen. In 1945, his home inexplicably burned to the ground. With nowhere else to go, Johnson lived in the burned ruins of his home until, two weeks later, he contracted pneumonia and died.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He made some 30 commercial recording studio record sides for Columbia Records from 1927 through 1930. His records have kept his music tremendously influential and his songs have been covered by several popular artists, including Led Zeppelin who covered 'Nobody's Fault But Mine'. Some of his most famous recordings include his rendition of the famous gospel song "Let Your Light Shine On Me", as well as the raw, powerful "Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground", about the crucifixion of Jesus.

Related Topics:
Recording studio - Record - Columbia Records - 1927 - 1930 - Led Zeppelin - Crucifixion - Jesus

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Johnson's recording of "Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground" was included on the Voyager Golden Record, sent into space with the Voyager spacecraft in 1977. This recording also got Johnson mentioned on an episode of the fictional television series The West Wing (see "The Warfare of Genghis Khan"); the fictional Assistant White House Chief of Staff Josh Lyman using Johnson's recording to show the depth and soul behind the space program.

Related Topics:
Voyager Golden Record - Voyager spacecraft - 1977 - The West Wing - "The Warfare of Genghis Khan" - White House Chief of Staff - Josh Lyman

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~