Blind Willie Johnson
Willie Johnson, known ever after as ‘Blind Willie’, was born in 1897 in a small rural town in Texas, USA. He was one of the few blues musicians to record in the 1920s and 30s with a total of 30 songs, mostly gospel, specifically ‘Mother’s Children Have a Problem’, ‘God Moves On The Water’, and ‘Dark Was The Night’. Johnson’s particular style of blues combined his powerful voice with a bottleneck slide guitar, creating a unique sound.
He also crafted steel guitars out of oil cans and other tools and instruments, jammed extensively with artists such as Blind Lemon Jefferson, and made a nickname for himself among country musicians as “the most important of the recorded masters.” Blind Willie Johnson successfully employed a playing technique known as a bottleneck slide, which centred on the use of a knife or a bottle neck and a guitar.
Noted musicologist John Fahey believes that Blind Willie Johnson’s music has had a profound influence on the electric guitar. His particular style of playing, which was heavily inspired by his bottleneck slide guitar technique, has been the inspiration for several legendary guitarists, including Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page.
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin was an influential English rock band whose members were John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Bonham. Led Zeppelin were one of the most influential rock bands of all time, and were one of the first to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Throughout their career, Led Zeppelin was a heavily blues-influenced band; their sound is a mix of blues, psychedelic and folk rock. Notable songs by Led Zeppelin include ‘Stairway to Heaven’, ‘Kashmir’ and ‘Whole Lotta Love’.
Led Zeppelin had a significant influence on blues music and have recorded several blues and blues-influenced songs, including ‘You Shook me’, ‘The Lemon Song’ and ‘I Can’t Quit You Baby’. Many of Led Zeppelin’s songs also feature the bottleneck slide guitar, an instrument and playing style made famous by Blind Willie Johnson.
Led Zeppelin and Blind Willie Johnson
It has long been rumored that Led Zeppelin was heavily influenced by Blind Willie Johnson, and that several of the band’s songs, particularly those featuring the bottleneck slide guitar, were inspired by Johnson’s unique sound. Despite the allegations, Led Zeppelin has never officially given credit to Blind Willie Johnson as an influence. Led Zeppelin has refused to comment on the allegations and whether or not they were inspired by Johnson.
Despite the lack of acknowledgment, many blues scholars and musicians point to the similarities between Led Zeppelin’s music and that of Blind Willie Johnson, including the vocal displays, the bottleneck slide guitar playing, the blues solos and riffs. Notably, Jimmy Page has been known to use the term ‘Texas Blues’ to describe his style and has been considered to be one of Johnson’s greatest admirers.
The Role of Led Zeppelin in the Blues Revival
Led Zeppelin’s blues-inspired music has been credited with the blues revival of the 1970s. The band’s rootsy sound helped to spur the blues revival, despite never giving credit to Blind Willie Johnson as a musical influence. Nevertheless, Led Zeppelin has done a great deal to bring blues music to a wider audience and is one of the most influential bands in rock history.
Led Zeppelin revitalized blues music, bringing it to a wider audience and bringing it into the context of modern rock. In addition, Led Zeppelin has allowed the music of Blind Willie Johnson to live on, even if the band has not given credit to Johnson as a direct influence. Most importantly, Led Zeppelin’s blues-inspired music has given fans a glimpse into the life and work of Blind Willie Johnson.
The Legacy of Blind Willie Johnson
Early in his career, Blind Willie Johnson was already considered to be one of the most important of the recorded masters. Since then, his profound influence has been felt in the music of Led Zeppelin, as well as other blues-influenced artists. Today, Johnson is still considered to be one of the most influential blues musicians, and his recordings are treasured by blues fans across the world.
In 2010, Johnson was inducted in to the Blues Hall of Fame and his recordings have been re-released for modern audiences. Johnson’s blues-influenced recordings continue to be heard today, and his profound influence on Led Zeppelin ensures that his legacy will live on for years to come.
The Impact of Blind Willie Johnson on Music
Blind Willie Johnson has had a tremendous influence on the blues music of the last century. His bottleneck-slide guitar technique inspired Led Zeppelin, as well as other blues musicians. Johnson’s influence has extended beyond Led Zeppelin to other artists, including Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and John Lee Hooker.
Blind Willie Johnson’s influence on musicians has not only been in the blues field, but also in other genres, including jazz, country, folk and gospel. His influence has been heard in gospel choirs, bluegrass bands and punk bands. Johnson’s music has been an inspiration to generations of artists and fans alike.
Blind Willie Johnson and the Digital Age
The impact of Blind Willie Johnson’s music has been felt in the digital age, with his songs being remastered and made available to a new generation of listeners. His music is now accessible through streaming services, allowing fans to explore and discover Johnson’s music, even if Led Zeppelin never gave him credit to his due influence.
The ability to access music digitally has opened up a wealth of opportunities for music fans. Accessibility and affordability of music has increased tremendously in recent years, making it easier than ever to listen to and appreciate the sound and influence of Blind Willie Johnson, and the blues, in general.
Conclusion
Whether Led Zeppelin has ever acknowledged it or not, Blind Willie Johnson has had a profound influence on the band’s blues-inspired music. His unique blend of blues guitar and powerful vocals has influenced generations of artists, from Led Zeppelin to Eric Clapton. Johnson’s legacy has been kept alive in the digital age, with his songs being remastered and made available to a new generation of music fans. Despite never being given credit for his influence, Blind Willie Johnson has left a tremendous impact on music.
