tommy johnson organist

The blues group Canned Heat took their name from this song. Wikipedia. People at the time started to believe that such great ability must have come from the devil himself. He is remembered for a handful of classic recordings he made in the late 1920s, and for claims he sold his soul to the Devil - a myth later imposed on Robert Johnson. He was born in 1896 in Hinds County, MS, on the George Miller plantation. He was born in Terry, Mississippi and played guitar at local parties with his two brothers. This idea became all the more popular when Tommy himself began to confirm the claim. purchase individual tracks if you like. He was unrelated to the blues musician Robert Johnson. Since 2007, the English Wikipedia page of Tommy Johnson has received more than 13,035 page views. Crossroads: The Life and Afterlife of Blues Legend Robert Johnson. Whilst many claim that it was Robert Johnson who began the legend of selling one’s soul to the devil to play the blues, one of his biographers, Tom Graves, stated in 2008 that this story actually originated with Tommy Johnson, and was later ascribed to Robert. 1Graves, Tom. Tommy Johnson (January 1896 – November 1, 1956) was an American Delta blues musician who recorded in the late 1920s and was known for his eerie falsetto voice and intricate guitar playing. Stay tuned for other information LeDell Johnson had been a blues musician himself, occasionally performing with his brother. And then he’ll play a piece and hand it back to you. Tommy Johnson (January 1896 – November 1, 1956) was an American Delta blues musician who recorded in the late 1920s and was known for his eerie falsetto voice and intricate guitar playing. Died: November 1, 1956 in Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Mississippi. [10], Paramount Records, 1929, Grafton, Wisconsin, The only known verified photograph of Tommy Johnson, Untitled song, take 1 ("Morning Prayer Blues"), Untitled song, take 2 ("Boogaloosa Woman"), "Miss. Wind Ensemble, The LA Tuba Quartet, and with the Henry Mancini Orchestra. Tommy Johnson. Tommy Johnson (musician) American Delta blues musician who recorded in the late 1920s and was known for his eerie falsetto voice and intricate guitar playing. Tommy began by playing a beautiful piece on the dobro. Get there, be sure to get there just a little ‘fore 12:00 that night so you’ll know you’ll be there. The Paranormal Scholar® seeks to bridge the gap between popular and academic. Articles on a variety of paranormal topics include exclusive interviews and witness testimonies, as well as original reportage on unexplained phenomena, past and present. In his older years, something about the music and his lifestyle made him turn to the Church and become a man of God, believing, like many in the area, that blues was the work of the devil. He was unrelated to the blues musician Robert Johnson. He was born in 1896 in Hinds County, MS, on the George Miller plantation. Once the family moved to Crystal Springs in 1910, Tommy picked up the guitar, learning from his older brother, LeDell. By age 16, Johnson had run away from home to become a "professional" musician, largely supporting himself by playing on the street for tips. The dispute was resolved in October 2012 thanks in large part to research work done by University of Mississippi researcher T.D. He had, however, been somewhat commercially successful during his lifetime, with hits like Canned Heat Blues, a song about drinking methanol from the cooking fuel Sterno. 5 Spice, Anton. He said the reason he knowed so much, said he sold hisself to the devil. It would seem, that at least in the case of Tommy Johnson, the devil certainly held up his end of the bargain. leave feedback on Youtube. Some had even come to believe that artists, like the unrelated blues’ musician Robert Johnson, had to have sold their souls in order to gain such mastery over the guitars which made them famous. The son of an influential father who runs an orphan work camp, Pak Jun Do rises to prominence using instinctive talents and eventually becomes a professional kidnapper and romantic rival to Kim Jong Il. (Image credit: Kelly A. I'm currently residing in Florida, and am available He was a troubled soul and a chronic alcoholic. Sometime after Tommy’s death, in 1966, his brother LeDell Johnson stated in an interview with Tommy’s biographer, David Evans, that Tommy had in fact told him about his pact with Satan personally. Born Charles Thomas Johnston on the 15th August 1948, in Visalia, California USA, Tom is a musician, singer/songwriter and guitarist, probably best known to the world as one of the founding members of the Grammy Award- winning rock band The Doobie Brothers with which he released 10 studio albums. Delta blues guitarist and singer, known for his distinctive falsetto singing. 4Graves, Tom. Found insideAs a result, this book not only destroys every myth that ever surrounded Johnson, but also tells a very human and tragic story of a real person. Found inside – Page 117... accompanied only by Hammond B - 3 organist Norris Johnson . ... Tommy Johnson's " Big Fat Mama , " Memphis Minnie's " Bumble Bee " and Howlin ' Wolf's ... He was unrelated to the blues musician Robert Johnson. Use of this website constitutes acceptance of its Terms of Use. , a song about drinking methanol from the cooking fuel Sterno. A relative of Tommy’s recalls his stories as such, “you go to where a road crosses that way, where a crossroads is. Tommy Johnson (January 1896 – November 1, 1956) was an American Delta blues musician who recorded in the late 1920s and was known for his eerie falsetto voice and intricate guitar playing. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. View Tommy Johnson’s profile on LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional community. This idea became all the more popular when Tommy himself began to confirm the claim. Johnson performed as tuba soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pasadena Symphony, the San Fernando Valley Symphony, the LA Pops Orchestra, the U.S.C. Johnson was born near Terry, Mississippi, and in about 1910 moved to Crystal Springs, where he lived for most of his life. He said, “If you want to learn how to play anything you want to play and learn how to make songs yourself, you take your guitar and you go to where a road crosses that way, where a crossroads is. [9] This legend was subsequently attributed to the blues musician Robert Johnson. The Paranormal Scholar®. [5] Johnson was a talented composer, blending fragments of folk poetry and personalized lyrics into set guitar accompaniments to craft striking blues compositions such as "Maggie Campbell". He was part of a musical movement known as the Delta Blues, so called for having originated in the region of the Mississippi delta of the United States. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. I really hope you enjoy my music just as much as I enjoy playing it. This movement was also known by another name, the “Devil’s Blues”, for many believed that the music and its artists were closely associated with the devil. He was unrelated to the blues musician Robert Johnson. People at the time started to believe that such great ability must have come from the devil himself. [10], Johnson remained a popular performer in the Jackson area through the 1930s and 1940s, sometimes performing with Ishman Bracey. Moore. Found inside – Page 880"The Monkey and the Baboon" cuts by Lonnie Johnson and Spencer Williams (1930, ... the right hand signifies to the left hand, Tommy Johnson's falsetto ... 2008. 2 Tommy Johnson. A habitual fence-sitter, he is of the opinion that only through science can the reality of the paranormal be confirmed. Provides the final report of the 9/11 Commission detailing their findings on the September 11 terrorist attacks. Unlike Patton, Tommy Johnson recorded very little. If you have any questions, comments or would like to book me for your event please do not hesitate to do so through the Contact Me link. Tommy Johnson (1896 – November 1, 1956) was an influential American delta blues musician who recorded in the late 1920s, known for his eerie falsetto voice and intricate guitar playing. His live performances were legendary, inspiring the flamboyant antics of later Rock ‘n’ Roll artists. This book will be the largest, most comprehensive reference publication on American Music. Twenty-five years ago, the four volumes of the first edition of the dictionary initiated a great expansion in American music scholarship. “Next to Son House and Charley Patton, no one was more important to the development of pre-Robert Johnson Delta blues than Tommy Johnson. He made his debut at the age of seven on the Horace Heidt Show, where he performed Tchaikovsky's piano concerto. In 1916 Johnson married and moved to Webb Jennings' plantation near Drew, Mississippi, close to the Dockery Plantation. Dear Fans, I would like to thank you for visiting my webpage. In his older years, something about the music and his lifestyle made him turn to the Church and become a man of God, believing, like many in the area, that blues was the work of the devil. Tommy Johnson … Found inside – Page 19Virgil Fox, organist, Philharmonic Hall, 8:30. Robert Sylvester, cellist ... Thomas Johnson, composer-pianist, New York Cultural Center, 2 Columbus Circle. CHAIRMAN: John Gambrell VICE CHAIRMAN: Jimmy Brown SECRETARY: Tommy Johnson Seats 4, 5, & 6 - Vacant Found inside – Page 250... Tommy Johnson and Skip James than it does with postwar gospel . On all of her other Apollo recordings, Mahalia is accompanied by piano, organ, or both . Thomas Matthew Johnson, 50. You have your guitar and be playing a piece there by yourself […] A big black man will walk up there and take your guitar, and he’ll tune it. Although Robert Johnson is credited with being the first musician to bargain with the Devil, it began with Tommy Johnson, a musician with no relation to Robert Johnson. check out pictures and newspaper articles from my past gigs, shows, and appearances in the Gallery. A life-long dabbler in the paranormal, Erik researches other-worldly phenomena to sate his curiosity. Some suggest he had been intentionally given this misimpression by people at Paramount Records. Johnson recorded two further sessions, for Victor in August 1928 and for Paramount Records in December 1929. *Sleepy John Estes (January 25, 1899 – … Asides from his guitar, Tommys’ voice was unique and incredibly difficult for anyone to imitate, for he was able to express a wide range of vocal tones effortlessly. He was unrelated to the blues musician Robert Johnson. [3] He influenced other performers, partly because he was willing to teach his style and his repertoire. He was known to play the guitar behind his neck, in between his legs, and in mid-air. Once the family moved to Crystal Springs in 1910, Tommy picked up the guitar, learning from his older brother, LeDell. Member Since 2008. Still performing at age 75, Tommy Johnson says his musical ability is 'kind of a miracle' Self-taught musician Tommy Johnson started playing the piano at age 4. Found inside – Page 35Without warning, the bereaved parent appeared, pulled a gun from his jacket and shot the musician at close range. Kid Thomas died at 9.20 am at the Beverley ... He was unrelated to the blues musician Robert Johnson. Zion Memorial Fund, a Mississippi nonprofit corporation active in historic African American cemetery preservation since 1989. 1 Award … Some of Erik's main interests are demonic possession, occult groups and the possibility of parallel dimensions. Crossroads: The Life and Afterlife of Blues Legend Robert Johnson. An important figure in the development of Mississippi Delta blues. Tommy Johnson (January 1896 – November 1, 1956) was an American Delta blues musician who recorded in the late 1920s and was known for his eerie falsetto voice and intricate guitar playing. [3] Found inside – Page 9... Fellenzer Tommy Ford Allan H France Stanley C & Persis Garniss Frank P Hackert Barry Henry MD Pierre Himaya Paul H Hoskins + Avery H Johnson Leo J Klise ... One of the Victor recordings was “Canned Heat Blues,” the said tale of the joys and dangers of drinking sterno, a staple of the poor during prohibition. Found inside – Page 286Victor/RCA Victor A&R Recordings and Southern Publishing Johnson Brothers: ... “Rabbit” Brown: “James Alley Blues” 1927 Fats Waller (on organ) & Alberta ... Tommy Johnson’s brother told a story some years after Tommy had died, that he had sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for his extraordinary guitar playing skills. Found inside – Page 17Charley soon became a professional musician, roaming over much of the Mississippi ... Tommy Johnson, born near Terry, Mississippi, in 1896, was a sometime ... In 2013, one of his original singles sold on eBay for over $37,000, making it the most expensive 78rpm record ever sold at the time. Tommy Johnson (musician) - WikiMili, The Free Encycloped Tommy Johnson (January 1896 – November 1, 1956) was an American Delta blues musician who recorded in the late 1920s and was known for his … Tommy Johnson made a series of beautiful and influential recordings for the Victor and Paramount labels from 1928 to 1929. Tom Johnston Wiki Biography. A significantly different version of the song appears as "Canned Heat" on the album Big Road Blues by K. C. Douglas. He did not record again, mistakenly believing that he had signed away his right to record. [11], Johnson died of a heart attack after playing at a local party in 1956. Includes Address (7) Phone (2) Email (2) See Results. According to his brother LeDell, he claimed to have sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads in exchange for his mastery of the guitar. Resides in Chicago Heights, IL. [7], Johnson's recordings established him as the premier Delta blues vocalist of his day, with a powerful voice that could go from a growl to a falsetto. Found inside – Page 8Think it over and answer this established a house organ , promised to print question . Also : Why does this exhibitor now therein ... Thomas Johnson , Gen. He was part of a musical movement known as the Delta Blues, so called for having originated in the region of the Mississippi delta of the United States. Blues Musician. The inaugural festival was held in Jackson and Crystal Springs in 2006.[15]. That’s the way I learned to play anything I want.””3Graves, Tom. In the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? Johnson was soon playing parties with his brothers, Major and LeDell, to supplement the family income, but he stayed only two years, running away at age 16 to become a professional musician. Lomax's account of African American oral traditions provides information on such legendary bluesmen as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and Son House And, yes, that’s where the band got the name. Don't forget to add me to your favorites! He performs without sheet music. He said, “If you want to learn how to play anything you want to play and learn how to make songs yourself, you take your guitar and you go to where a road crosses that way, where a crossroads is. In 2013, one of his original singles sold on eBay for over $37,000, making it the most expensive 78rpm record ever sold at the time. Tommy Johnson (1896 – November 1, 1956) was an influential American delta blues musician, who recorded in the late 1920s, and was known for his eerie falsetto voice and intricate guitar playing. His influence on local traditions is described by David Evans in the books Tommy Johnson (1971) and Big Road Blues: Tradition and Creativity in the Folk Blues (1982). Categorized by complexity, the book appeals to a broad range of learning levels and styles. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version. This much-anticipated volume in The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture celebrates an essential element of southern life and makes available for the first time a stand-alone reference to the music and music makers of the American South. Tommy Johnson (January 1896 – November 1, 1956) was an American Delta blues musician who recorded in the late 1920s and was known for his eerie falsetto voice and intricate guitar playing. “Now if [Tommy Johnson] was living he’d tell you. 2008. List of country blues musicians. Found inside – Page 14417 Thomas Johnson's , 78 , 170 Tutty ( Rev. ... 36 , 70 , 101 , 163 Tomkins ( Thomas ) , organist of Worcester cathedral , is , Town and college , local ... Lived In Edgewater MD, Elkridge MD, Riverdale MD, Tivoli TX. [8], To enhance his fame, Johnson cultivated a sinister persona. Transporting a murderer only to learn that the man's crime falls under his jurisdiction and that the killer has escaped, Sheriff Longmire taps insights from Indian mysticism in a manhunt through the wilderness. Get there, be sure to get there just a little ‘fore 12:00 that night so you’ll know you’ll be there. [5][9] This story was later also associated with Robert Johnson, to whom Tommy Johnson was unrelated. [6] In 1928, he made his first recordings, with McCoy, for Victor Records,[3] including "Canned Heat Blues", in which he sang of drinking methanol from the cooking fuel Sterno. Tommy Johnson (January 1896 – November 1, 1956) was a blues musician known for his eerie falsetto which are prevalent in his songs. Be sure to Music From The Hill: an interview with master musician, Tommy Johnson. Like Patton, Johnson was a gifted writer, singer and guitarist. Swift) Over the course of their 40-plus-year history, the Doobie Brothers have been delivering their distinct brand of roots-based, harmony-laden, guitar-driven rock to eager fans old and new. While the recordings give us a sense of his artistry, to be honest, I had a hard time making out the words. for private and public event bookings in and out of state. subscribe to my YouTube channel. The Paranormal Scholar® is an offshoot of Ethereal Productions, whose debut documentary, In Search of the Dead, was released in 2019. He said the reason he knowed so much, said he sold hisself to the devil. Tommy Johnson. Diabolical Dealings: 5 Historic Encounters With the Devil, Witness Testimony: “It Was Something Much Older and More Powerful Than a Simple Ghost.”. [13][14], The Tommy Johnson Blues Festival is held annually in Crystal Springs on the third weekend in October. "Promoters have warned, an evening with Tommy Johnson can create a life-long fan." [3], His style influenced later blues singers, such as Robert Nighthawk and Howlin' Wolf (whose song "I Asked for Water [She Brought Me Gasoline]" was based on Johnson's "Cool Drink of Water Blues"),[3] and the country singer Hank Williams. Pianist from Sun City Center, FL Will travel up to 100 miles. I am always updating this site, Read more on Wikipedia. He also performed tricks with his guitar, playing it between his legs and behind his head and throwing it in the air while playing. At age nine, Tommy was pictured in Life magazine. so please check back often for updates on my upcoming events and appearances! Which is odd, because, before that rumor got around, it was thought that Tommy had done the exact same thing. List of country blues musicians. [3] Johnson's "Big Road Blues" inspired Canned Heat's song "On the Road Again". Resides in Annapolis, MD. Crossroads: The Life and Afterlife of Blues Legend Robert Johnson. Blazing stages from Cleveland to California, Tommy has shared stages with the likes of such legends as Eddie and Gerald Levert, Patti LaBelle, Kem, as well as up and coming stars… Tommy has 1 job listed on their profile. The cuts on this CD were recorded in 1928 and 1929. It is a matter of dispute whether it fell because it was inadequately secured or because it was pushed over or deliberately smashed. [3] He is buried in the Warm Springs Methodist Church Cemetery, outside Crystal Springs, Mississippi. He was known to play the guitar behind his neck, in between his legs, and in mid-air. In 1916, he married and moved onto a plantation, but later became an alcoholic and traveling musician. Found inside – Page 270Johnson , Tommy . V. Title . ( M1366 84-757765 AACR 2 MARC Sonatinas , Jongen , Joseph , 1873-1953 . ( Organ music . Selections ) Jozef Sluys ( sound ... Erik Rowton Found inside – Page 753... Roscoe Jarrell, Tommy Johnson, Bill Kazee, Buell Macon, Uncle Dave Poole, ... Gottlieb Hoschna, Karl L. Organists Biggs, E. Power Buck, Dudley Buckner, ... Found inside... Booker T's Hammond B-3 organ; and Elvis Presley's portable phone from 1968. ... The one common photograph of Tommy Johnson was also made here in 1928. dates. Tommy Johnson had said that his dream was to get an education, maybe play pro football, too, but earn enough to buy his parents a home away from this neighborhood. Rare Tommy Johnson blues “holy grail” becomes most expensive 78rpm record ever sold. Retrieved 05/02/2019. Johnson can be heard on the recording of The Manhattan Transfer meets Tubby the Tuba CD. Charles Thomas Johnston (born August 15, 1948) is an American musician. Found inside – Page 880the right hand signifies to the left hand , Tommy Johnson's falsetto ... For twelve years he worked as lounge organist on the Lafayette circuit in the ... And, Tommy was indeed a perfect candidate for such a damnable pact. Tommy Johnson. Underwriting for the memorial was obtained through the support of blues musician Bonnie Raitt. Tommy Johnson MusicThe Boogie Woogie Man. Whilst Tommy only left behind a small number of recorded works, they are considered masterpieces, with the vinyl records he released at the time now considered precious treasures. 1 talking about this. He was a troubled soul and a chronic alcoholic. One of the unique surprises last month in Java City was the performance of Tommy Johnson. It was finally announced that the headstone would be erected on October 26 of that year. And then he’ll play a piece and hand it back to you. Johnson’s only two recording sessions, in 1928 and 1930, revealed his sweet voice, with near-yodeling falsetto phrases, over a simple but active guitar accompaniment. Lyrics from his songs, including “Maggie Campbell Blues,” “Big Road Blues,” and “Cool Drink of Water Blues,” became standard features of the blues repertoire. I STARTED OUT WITH NOTHIN', AND I’VE STILL GOT MOST OF IT LEFT'. (2000), a character named Tommy Johnson, played by Chris Thomas King, describes selling his soul to the devil to play guitar. Bluesman Getting Long Overdue Grave Marker", Site for "Crossroads: The Life and Afterlife of Blues Legend Robert Johnson", Faceted Application of Subject Terminology, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tommy_Johnson_(musician)&oldid=1025867935, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 30 May 2021, at 01:48. Thank you to everyone who has supported me through the years by purchasing my music and taken the time to watch my videos and Found inside – Page 105A CRUSH ON YOU ; W & m Tommy Johnson . © Tommy Johnson ; 10 ... THE CRUCIFIXION ; m John Stainer , organ score by Norris L. Stephens . Lenten oratorio . I am always updating this site, so please check back often for updates on my upcoming events and appearances! This is the ultimate reference book for blues lovers - a comprehensive biographical encyclodpedia, with more than 600 entries profiling every important blues artist from Bessie Smith to Koko Taylor, Charlie Patton to Robert Cray, Blind ... 2008. This site uses cookies to improve your experience. The Foundation's work has been focused on restoring the warm, springs cemetery in crystal springs, MS, where tommy johnson has lain in an unmarked grave for more than half a century. (Image source: Wikipedia) [3] The song features the refrain "canned heat, mama, sure, Lord, killing me." Demons & the Devil. Thomas M Johnson, 76. Whilst Tommy only left behind a small number of recorded works, they are considered masterpieces, with the vinyl records he released at the time now considered precious treasures. He learned to play the guitar and, by 1914, was supplementing his income by playing at local parties with his brothers Major and LeDell. Content copyrighted © 2015 - 2021 Ethereal Productions Limited unless otherwise stated. Tommy Johnson was born circa 1896, on George Miller's Plantation near Terry, Mississippi, twenty miles south of the state capital of Jackson. February 8, 2019 He is a guitarist and vocalist, known principally as a founder, guitarist, lead vocalist and songwriter for the rock group The Doobie Brothers, as well as for his own solo career.He has played off and on with The Doobie Brothers for 50 years, in several styles. “Now if [Tommy Johnson] was living he’d tell you. Johnson’s freewheeling, impulsive nature and, in particular, the vices it helped him acquire would come to haunt him for the rest of his life. One of the most prominent Blues musicians of the early twentieth century was Tommy Johnson. The original "Boogie Man" - but not the one to be afraid of! This book is the first rigourous and detailed exploration of exactly how blues singers used formulas to create songs, and it more than amply fills the gap in the the study of the blues, where the structure and content of the lyrics have ... I am very excited to share my music with you. Tommy Johnson (January 1896 – November 1, 1956) was an American Delta blues musician who recorded in the late 1920s and was known for his eerie falsetto voice and intricate guitar playing. The Tommy Johnson Foundation is non profit,tax-exempt foundation working to reserve the legacy and music of legendary blue artist Tommy Johnson. Tommy Johnson Tommy Johnson (1896 – November 1, 1956) was a Delta Blues musician who recorded in the 1920s and was known for his eerie falsetto singing. [2] Pun-loving “Weird Al” Yankovic called on Johnson as his tubist for his many polka tunes. On the night of Saturday, February 2, 2013, the headstone fell and was damaged. Tommy Johnson (January 1896 – November 1, 1956)[1] was an American Delta blues musician who recorded in the late 1920s and was known for his eerie falsetto voice and intricate guitar playing. Tommy Johnson - Live in This collection of Wolfe's essays, articles, and chapters from previous collections is filled with observations on U.S. popular culture in the 1960s and 1970s. People began to look up from their coffee and watched as this master musician drew haunting, yet fluid melodies from this instrument. Tommy Johnson was a fine blues artist from long ago. Twitter and Youtube. [6] He was an accomplished guitarist. This resulted in a legal settlement with the Mississippi Sheiks, who had used the melody of Johnson's "Big Road Blues" in their successful "Stop and Listen". 2“Tommy Johnson Biography.” Cub Koda. All Music. Six UFOs are sighted over Puget Sound, Washington – ADVERTISEMENT – On 21st June 1947, during the same month of the infamous Roswell incident, two unofficial harbour patrolman, Harold Dahl and his son, were salvaging […], – ADVERTISEMENT – Alexander the Great was king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon in the 4th century BC. Found insideGuitar and mouth organ both, 'cause that's what had me interested. ... rough phrasing of Patton with the vocal filigree of Tommy Johnson and its familial ... [4] There he met other musicians, including Charlie Patton and Willie Brown.[5]. Tommy’s tuba playing can be heard in some music by Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Manhattan Transfer, and Jean-Pierre Rampal. By age 16, Johnson had run away from home to become a "professional" musician, largely supporting himself by playing on the street for tips. Concert. Johnson was not only a soundtrack star, but he was a prolific session musician for pop and rock artists, too. The story of Johnson's selling his soul to the devil was first told by his brother, LaDell Johnson, and reported by David Evans in his 1971 biography of Johnson. Asides from his guitar, Tommys’ voice was unique and incredibly difficult for anyone to imitate, for he was able to express a wide range of vocal tones effortlessly. about Tommy's next performance An earlier guitar hero named Tommy Johnson — who is not related to Robert Johnson, but grew up in the same Mississippi county — was rumored to have gone down to the crossroads and had his guitar tuned by the devil himself.