Crossroads Blues

I enjoyed listening to this WNYC/Radio Labs Podcast because I am a fan of Robert Johnson as well as blues in general. I am glad that this particular episode was produced because the legend of Robert Johnson selling his soul to Satan at the crossroads always annoyed the hell out of me. What if he just had talent?!  This podcast traces the origins of this old myth and it turns out that it was created by a man named LaDelle Johnson about his musician brother, Tommy Johnson. Those men were not related to Robert in any way. Coincidently, a man named Pete Welby heard of this legend and because he was more impressed by Robert's music he changed the story to be about Robert instead. With that mystery solved, I can put on "Travelling Riverside Blues" and shoot down any claims of soul-selling I may hear.