Most of you I'm sure are at least aware of the late great bluesman Robert Johnson. But until now, in the 70 years since Johnson's controversial death in 1938, there have only been 2 photographs ever found verified as being of the blues titan in existence. Well, quite possibly, according to an article in the November issue of Vanity Fair Magazine, there has now been found, by Manhattan guitar salesman Zeke Schein, a third - purchased for $2,200 on all places, eBay.
You can read the entire Vanity Fair article "Portrait Of A Phantom : Searching For Robert Johnson," as well as see the alleged picture, of Johnson and the late Johnny Shines, at this location :
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/11/johnson200811
Johnson is among the, if not the most famous of Delta blues musicians. His landmark recordings on Vocalion from 1936–1937 display a remarkable combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent which have influenced generations of musicians. Muddy Waters, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, Jack White and Eric Clapton - all have paid homage to the bluesman. Johnson's poorly documented life and death at age 27 have given rise to much legend. According to blues legend, Johnson was instructed to go down to "the crossroads" with guitar at midnight, where he was met by a large black man (The Devil) who taking the guitar from Johnson and tuning it, gave him mastery of the guitar in return for his soul.
Considered by some to be the "Grandfather of Rock 'n' Roll," he was also ranked fifth in Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Johnson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 1986.
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