10 Most Influential American Acts On British Rock
2. Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson is one of the most mysterious figures in modern music. During his lifetime he was said to have made a deal with the Devil; mysteriously disappearing for some time only to return as a highly accomplished guitar player. Only two photographs of Johnson exist, and his back catalogue extends to a mere 29 songs. But his legacy and influence as a guitar player is extensive.
Robert Johnson died in 1938, under mysterious circumstances, but his style of guitar playing lived on through artists like Muddy Waters and BB King. But when his records - which were incredibly rare and hard to come by - stared making it to the UK, British musicians were in awe. When the Brits landed in America, they brandish guitars, laced with the spirit of Robert Johnson.
Eric Clapton and Keith Richards have often cited Johnson as the greatest blues guitarist to ever have lived. Robert Plant, has acknowledged that Led Zeppelin were not only influenced by his guitar playing, but also lifted several of his lyrical techniques for tracks like Lemon Song.
Johnson's recordings are crackly and almost in audible at times, and to a modern audiences they might sound simplistic and dated. But damn, they were recorded almost one hundred years ago - this was the origin of rock.