The Legend of the Crossroads

The legend of the Crossroads became official with a young black man named Robert Johnson, who was desperate to become a guitar player but had no talent.

A crossroads is when you come to an intersection of a highway, road, or path. It can also be a journey in life where you must decide the direction you will take. For some, however, like Johnson, the crossroads is a physical location where the spirit realm is opened.

It is believed that entertainers go there to sell their souls to Satan in exchange for the riches of this world. Johnson allegedly heard folklore that explained how an aspiring bluesman could become successful.

The legend states that when you stand by the side of a deserted crossroads on a moonless night, Satan himself might make an appearance. If he shows up, he will tune your guitar or give you your heart's desire in exchange for your soul.

It is believed that Johnson walked to the crossroads at the intersection of Highways 49 and 61 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. It is supposed that he recited an ancient incantation at midnight and called upon the devil, who appeared. He allegedly relinquished his immortal soul in exchange for Satan tuning his guitar.

From this point, the young bluesman played his instrument with an almost supernatural style, as his fingers "danced over the strings". It was said that he wailed, and moaned as he expressed his deepest sorrows, knowing he was condemned.

Johnson's sorrow may have been his lamenting the death of his wife and baby during childbirth in 1930. Robert Johnson disappeared at this time, and when he returned years later his guitar playing was much improved. This obviously fueled the notion that he sold his soul to the devil and gained talent.

In 1929, the blues guitarist recorded at least 29 songs in Dallas and San Antonio, Texas. He then returned to Mississippi where he played his guitar and sang in bars and nightclubs.

In 1938, Johnson became mysteriously sick after playing at a juke joint. David ‘Honeyboy’ Edwards says the bluesman was playing at the Three Forks Store near Greenwood, MS, where he was allegedly poisoned. Edwards says the suspects were one of his female acquaintances or possibly the store owner, whose wife was a "friend" to Johnson.

The blues legend passed away 4 days later at only 27 years of age. His sudden death led to people spreading the rumor that the devil had collected on the debt.

If you consider the story of Robert Johnson to be no more than an urban myth, you might want to consider the words of a widely respected entertainer, a living legend who said out of his own mouth that he went to "the crossroads."

This renowned, award-winning icon actually confessed on national television to making a deal for Fame in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in the spot where Robert Johnson is said to have sold his soul.

In 2003, Bob Dylan gave an in-depth interview with Ed Bradly on 60 Minutes. In this video excerpt, Bradley asked why the icon, who was 63 at the time was still going strong in the music industry.

Dylan said he was holding up his part of a bargain and admitted to going to the intersection of Highway 61 and 49 in Clarksdale, MS. The iconic singer acknowledged that he made a deal to receive fame and fortune.

When Bradley presses him for who he had done business with, Dylan hesitates and said, it was with the "chief commander" who is in this realm and also another one.

The entertainer is cautious with his wording and never says his pact was with Satan. This is obviously what is being inferred and what Ed Bradley and others have believed.

In later interviews, Bob Dylan has said that in this life, you either serve God or Satan. Whenever stories of bargains are told, it is always only the Creator or His adversary who is mentioned.

It has been alleged that other singers have let the world know that they, too have stood at the crossroads and made a deal, based on interviews and also the images in their music videos.

Some people say you cannot sell your soul, but you can give it away by rejecting salvation through Jesus Christ. Still, many celebs, especially young rappers believe they have bargained for hell instead of heaven.