Rock and roll, it has often been said, is just the blues sped up. You can’t really argue with that statement. Rock, in all its diverse glory, owes its existence to the blues. After all, if it weren’t for the blues, the 12-bar chord progressions, the rhythm of drum and guitar, the chanting songs that re-laid the stories and the history of a people, we might all be grooving to a modern day minuet.
An ambitious 30 million dollar project currently in the planning stages in Clarksdale, Mississippi intends to pay tribute to the legends and icons who created the most influential brand of music of the modern western world.
Born of hardship, slavery, sweat, and tears, the blues can trace its origins to the Delta and such iconic Mississippi towns as Tunica, Helena, and of course Clarksdale. Arguably the birthplace of the blues, Clarksdale is the home of blues icons Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Ike Turner. This town is where Bessie Smith, the Grande Dame of the blues, met her untimely demise in what is now the Riverside Hotel. And of course, Clarksdale is of the sight of one of the most enduring stories in blues Lore — that of the immortally devilish Robert Johnson and the legend of the Crossroads.
“When Robert Johnson got through playing, all our mouths was open. He sold his soul to the devil to get to play like that.” — Son House
RJ, as he was often called, is said to have met the Devil at the crossroads of highways 61 and 49 and sold him his soul to be the greatest bluesman of all time. This fantastic story of a young man who became larger than the too short life he lived has been studied, revered, imitated, and celebrated in story, song, and even festivals.
Whether there is any truth to this greatest of all blues myths is somewhat inconsequential. For such a brief career and life (RJ recorded only 29 songs and died at the age of 27) there is no denying the influence Robert Johnson had on not only the blues but modern music to this day.
A joint project by Canadian entrepreneur Les Barber and The Blues Hall of Fame aims at paying tribute to RJ and all of the people that defined the music. Phase one of the project involves transforming the bare street corner of the famed crossroads into the Robert Johnson Crossroads Blues Legends Park. The garden will include a pathway in the shape of Robert Johnson’s guitar made of personalized engraved bricks.
Phase two of the ambitious endeavour is to build an entertainment complex and resort. The themed resort will house The Blues Hall of Fame as well as hot blues and jazz venues that will feature local artists, import blues talents from all over the globe, and host blues events, festivals, and concerts.
It is a bold endeavour in such dire economic times; however CEO Les Barber is confident that his vision will become not just a reality but a wild success: "The Crossroads Hotel and Entertainment Complex will be an international destination that blues and rock music lovers from all over the world will visit regularly.” There is no denying Barber’s passion for the blues and for Clarksdale. “This is holy ground and we want to create a place where music lovers from all over the world can come and reflect on where it all began, where they can experience first-hand the passion and the power of the blues.”
As a hard rockin’ blues girl, I can’t wait to see this big bad project get off the ground. I plan to be there opening night and dance till dawn to some hot jazz and hard blues. I’ll check out the Blues Hall of Fame, maybe grab a bite at the famed Abe’s BBQ. When the night fades to dawn I’ll stroll through the Robert Johnson Blues Legends park to the Crossroads where I’ll fall down on my knees and pray.
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Article comments
1 - Joanie
The crossroads were Highways 61 and 49. You've transposed a couple numbers there.
2 - Nathalie
Oh Lord...I did too. Can't believe it, how embarrassing. Thanks for letting me know.