The Blue Suit search for Robert Johnson

We came to Cleveland for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's American Masters conference on Robert Johnson and found ourselves on more than a quest of knowledge  and music.  We were on a mission. Porkchop & Lonesome Bob were travelling with a scholarly lot: the hip contingent of the University of Toledo English Department were veterans of the previous two American Masters  conferences at the Rock Hall.  Despite their academic credentials these professors (who will have to remain unnamed until we get clearance from UT - which will probably never happen if they check out the content of this story)  had all passed the blues quotient test with flying colors.

The academics were meeting the Blue Suiters on Saturday morning for the scholarly portion of the conference, but their plans included the music on Saturday  & Sunday nights.  Porkchop & Lonesome Bob were arriving on Thursday, because the opportunity to see Robert Lockwood, Honeyboy Edwards and Henry Townsend - not only the last links to Robert Johnson, but the last  examples of the real old blues - on the same stage was something that would kill us if we missed it.  Friday night was scheduled as a light night at Wilbert's before the fireworks on the weekend.

We started the excitement with just Porkchop & Lonesome Bob..... Thursday night Snatch it back & Hold it

Check out our fellow travelers' impressions: Joel's poem Tom's  review of the conference

Click here if you want to see Robert Johnson's death certificate

This is the death certificate in Adobe Acrobat format