Times Musicians Have Been Accused Of Devil Worship

Though many musicians have been accused of devil worship since the early days of popular music, no figure has had their supposed relationship with Satan become as central to their legend as the Delta blues guitarist Robert Johnson. Johnson died in mysterious circumstances in 1938 at the age of 27, leaving behind just a smattering of recordings that nevertheless have gone on to become some of the most influential in the history of blues.

Per The Guardian, the story goes that Johnson was, like many young men in Mississippi at the time, infatuated with the blues, but lacked the ability on the guitar to express himself properly. Seemingly overnight, however, he became one of the best players around — a chain of events that those around him attributed to the musician selling his soul to the devil, an event which, legend has it, happened at a crossroads in Clarksdale.

Johnson's limited discography has certainly helped to perpetuate his diabolical image, with songs such as "Me and the Devil Blues," "Hell Hound on my Trail," and "Cross Road Blues" all seeming to refer directly to Johnson's devilish meeting, which believers say resulted in his music becoming so timeless as the expense of his enjoying a long and happy life. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in the inaugural ceremony in 1986, a testament to his foundational influence over the rock genre.

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