Up Jumped the Devil

The Real Life of Robert Johnson

By: Bruce Conforth, Gayle Dean Wardlow

Narrated by: Leon Nixon

Robert Johnson is the subject of the most famous myth about the blues: he allegedly sold his soul at the crossroads in exchange for his incredible talent, and this deal led to his death at age 27. But the actual story of his life remains unknown save for a few inaccurate anecdotes.

Up Jumped the Devil is the result of over 50 years of research. Gayle Dean Wardlow has been interviewing people who knew Robert Johnson since the early 1960s, and he was the person who discovered Johnson's death certificate in 1967. Bruce Conforth began his study of Johnson's life and music in 1970 and made it his mission to fill in what was still unknown about him. In this definitive biography, the two authors relied on every interview, resource, and document, most of it material no one has seen before. As a result, this book not only destroys every myth that ever surrounded Johnson, but also tells a human story of a real person. It is the first book about Johnson that documents his years in Memphis, details his trip to New York, uncovers where and when his wife Virginia died and the impact this had on him, fully portrays the other women Johnson was involved with, and tells exactly how and why he died and who gave him the poison that killed him. Up Jumped the Devil will astonish blues fans who thought they knew something about Johnson.

©2019 Bruce Conforth and Gayle Dean Wardlow (P)2019 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Honest Detail

I’ve known about Robert Johnson and the myth surrounding his life for quite some time now but this might be the most transparent look into his life I have ever come across. Answers a lot of the questions I had about certain points in his life and his unfortunate passing. Great listen.

Authenticity of the story

Author does a good job with the facts of the people and places around I’m from Mississippi Delta and have been all over the location in the story

Amazing

This answers so many questions about Johnson's life and adds understanding to his records. It would have been better with musical examples, so grab a copy of the box set to follow along in the chapters about the recordings in Texas. Like another listener, I felt that though the reader had a good vibe, his pace was plodding and I had to crank him up to 1.25X.

Awesome

This book is so complete and compelling. Gives a full story of an American musical genius and legend.

Robert Johnson’s story

This was well researched. It has the ring of truth to it. The author talks to many different people who knew Robert and has the good sense to discount the myth making that accompanied much of Robert Johnson’s story. This is a lively and refreshing tale. It helps to paint the nuances of life in the Delta. This is an entertaining and great book.