10 Most Notorious Hell-Raiser Rock Bands

Among the most mysterious figures in the history of rock, the famous Robert Johnson story purports that he sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for his legendary guitar prowess. One of the masters of the Delta Blues, Johnson’s relatively small back catalogue means it is his wild and mysterious life which is now better remembered than the music itself.

Johnson spent much of his brief time wandering the earth (or, more specifically, America), peddling his blues and enjoying the fringe benefits afforded to a musician of his calibre. He would form relationships in every town, staying with various women who knew nothing of one another’s existence.

Johnson’s (possibly apocryphal) demise only serves to add to his legend: it is said that the notorious womaniser was poisoned - by a jilted lover, a jealous husband, or a rival, no one can be sure. Historians suggest he may have died of boring old syphilis - which, given his lifestyle, seems believable.

Whether or not he bartered with Satan, Johnson was one of 20th century music’s first great wildmen, in a time when you could simply split town once you’d pushed your luck too far.