Topic: August 16, 1938

[King Neptune]

77 years already?

[wreid75]

yes but who is really buried in front of that stone?

[tinpanallygurl]

only way to find out is to dig at all three sites, multiple formats of cameras, multiple witnesses, and collect dna if more than one corpse is found.  only way to end this nonsense is to dig em up

[Johnm]

Exhume three bodies because fans are curious?  That's nuts.  What does it matter anyway?  A DNA sample would only be helpful in identifying the remains if there was already a verified DNA sample from Robert Johnson to test it against.  And when Robert Johnson died, no one knew about DNA, let alone DNA testing.  He's dead.  I think everyone is in agreement on that.   

[King Neptune]

I don't think anyone is serious about digging anyone up. Has anyone made a case as to which is the real site? I remember reading something about his last days. And mythology aside, we are talking about people who lived and died, and left legal records behind. I think WeenieCampbell would be the perfect place to post scholarly research on these musicians. Help clear up the disinformation one finds on the net.

[wreid75]

Actually John, we don't need his DNA at all, just a verified relatives DNA.  King Richard III found under a parking lot was tested against his descendents DNA so his family would do and he has a grand kid that is alive.  Exhuming is a quick process and the site would look almost the same after it was done.  I doubt there are three bodies, hell I doubt there is one body.  But if so there is nothing disrespectful about verifying that someone is buried where their headstone is.   

[Johnm]

That still does not answer the question as to why exhuming is necessary or appropriate. It is not appropriate.  There is no reason to exhume the body of Robert Johnson or any other deceased blues musician.

[jrn]

I'd have to agree on that one. We know that he existed, and we've got his recordings. What else do we need?

[One-Eyed Ross]

Some people just won't let things go.  Elvis is still alive, the moon landing was faked....  As Americans, for some reason, we are just so eager to jump on conspiracy band wagons (tightening tin foil hat as he speaks....)

[wreid75]

Some people just won't let things go.  Elvis is still alive, the moon landing was faked....  As Americans, for some reason, we are just so eager to jump on conspiracy band wagons (tightening tin foil hat as he speaks....)

Be that as it may, and I believe the digging comment was tongue in cheek..............................there are multiple grave sites!  If Elvis was rumored to be buried in three different places Graceland would have gotten to the bottom of it.  JohnM it isn't necessary to do anything regarding Robert Johnson, hell even the new Willie Brown tombstone looks like it was put in the wrong place.  Devils advocate.........................................the US government looked to see if Lincoln was in his burial place.  Is RJ the same as Lincoln some would say no, others would say yes. 

Is exhuming necessary no, is it appropriate I don't see why not.  He left that body a long long time ago, it was nothing but a shell containing something great that no one appreciated at the time and has been milked to make upper middle class white people money since.  Which is more inappropriate?

[harriet]

It may give a brief relief to those whom it concerns for whatever reason to have the question of whether he's buried one place or another resolved-but another controversy is bound to spring to keep the mystique alive, seems to me thats the interest - to keep him as spirit. Maybe he's not in any of the graves so that would be the new mystery.

And maybe he is and it would be interesting to see how people factor that in, if it would deflate.

[Rivers]

Jeez imagine a world where Robert Johnson, the cartoon character, never existed, but his music did. That would be fabulous. The guy's non-musical time on the earth, and now under it, generates so much 'discussion', to be polite. It must be another slow news week in country blues. I couldn't really care less where his remains are. Has anyone checked Steve LaVere's car trunk?

[lindy]

The quote generator does it again . . .

While reluctantly checking on the content of this thread, at the top of the page was this one:

"Nonsense is nonsense. But the history of nonsense is scholarship" - Saul Lieberman to an audience at Jewish Theological Seminary

[Stuart]

I remember reading or hearing a few words of wisdom that were attributed to John Fahey and went something like this: "Ninety percent of the music business is bullshit, so go straight for the bullshit and milk it for all that it's worth!"

[King Neptune]

I don't see how factoring out the human element of country blues improves it. This stuff was created by living people, like we are now. The details of the lives of these men and women help me understand what I'm listening to. The artist's experience is reflected in the music. As for the mythology-music is a transcendental experience. How do you use words to describe that? Hence the legends and metaphor. My problem is when the legend eclipses the reality of hours of practice and songwriting, and storytelling. That's the human element I'm trying to relate to, that connection of one life to another.  Bottom line- if I can understand the trajectory of an artist's life, from beginning to end, including where he/she's buried, the better I can understand the music. You can't do that if you separate the art from the artist.

[Blues Vintage]

Quite a discussion so far from such a "simple" topic start. Robert Johnson was most likely buried in a unmarked grave at a unknown cemetery. Probably laid to rest between the hobos and the drifters as was explained by John Hammond jr. in "The Search For Robert Johnson". At that time he was just a musician passing through.

if I can understand the trajectory of an artist's life, from beginning to end, including where he/she's buried, the better I can understand the music. You can't do that if you separate the art from the artist.

I don't agree. Take Bo Carter for example. Carter's song subjects had nothing in common with his own life or persona. According to his brother Sam he had no interest whatsoever in skirt-chasing not even partying. For some musicians or people in general, the more you know about a person the less you understand him.

[Pan]

spoken: Baby, I don't care where you bury my
body when I'm dead and gone

[CF]

They did a paternity case in which RJ's millions of dollars estate was rewarded to a guy who's aunt said she saw RJ sleep with his mother. That's it. No DNA testing. Because the story was seemingly embarrassing to the senior woman telling it it HAD to be true. Never mind that the guy could have been someone else named RJ or a guy pretending to be him! When it comes to RJ, folks, don't expect reality or truth. Remember, Honeyboy Edwards, Sonny Boy II, they were all there the night he died!
He's become a ghoulish reference. Thank god the music remains & is excellent

[Blues Vintage]

Remember, Honeyboy Edwards, Sonny Boy II, they were all there the night he died!

Could be true that Edwards was really present on that night but he's notorious for jiving blues scholars.
When Alan Lomax met him in 41' he was claiming to Big Joe Williams (Elijah Wald, Escaping The Delta).

[Johnm]

My apologies to tinpanallygurl.  I was attempting to quote something from a message, mistakenly hit edit, and the message ended being deleted.  I would restore the message but the text was lost.  Tinpanallygurl, re-post please to send your message again.  Sorry about that!
All best,
Johnm

[Randy Meadows]

I've been to all three proposed burial sites for RJ.
I've also studied the interviews and official information from forms.
I believe that the evidence available weighs overwhelmingly towards Money Road site....

In the case of Willie Brown, there are three sites possible for him also but I believe it is the Farrell site that holds his body.