Up Jumped the Devil

The Real Life of Robert Johnson

By: Bruce Conforth, Gayle Dean Wardlow

Narrated by: Leon Nixon

Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Excellent informative empathetic story

Brings Johnson to life in a way that helps enrich his music. I hear his music in ways I didn't before, thank you for giving Robert his life back.

very informative and entertaining

I loved it. I enjoyed the narrator's reading of the book immensely. I just wish it didn't have to end. there are lots of theories and legends about Robert Johnson and I felt like this book cleared up most of the mysteries. at least if we don't know for sure about certain facts (which we don't), the author made that clear rather than trying to put forth speculation as fact.

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.

Best RJ biography yet!

Best most realistic version of RJ’s life yet. Nixon does a great job with the reading performance. Only wish a few of the tunes could have been sprinkled in amongst the story.

heading

narrator was perfect choice. narrator was the perfect choice. narrator was the perfect choice narrator dogs

Well done and presented

An interesting view on the life of someone that we know very little about. Enjoyable.

Excellent book

This was an excellent factual book regarding the life and death of the late great Robert Johnson. Not theory’s or rumors but facts taken from original sources.
Fantastic book!!!

Stop Breakin' Down

and listen to this thoroughly researched and enjoyable account of the life, culture, history, times, and influence of the King of the Delta Blues Singers! Red Hot

Find me the truth

The book was very interesting I liked that it had a lot of facts about the great man and self also there was parts and pieces that I had never read before another works overall it was a great read the only thing I did not like was some other names I feel were changed to protect some of the white racist people back in the day