Brooklyn Today: May 8, 2012

May 8, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Share this:

Good morning. Today is the 129th day of the year. It is the birth anniversary (1911) of Robert Johnson, considered one of the greatest blues guitarists of all time. Although during his short lifetime he was only moderately successful, many of his songs, such as “Dust My Broom,” “Crossroads” and “Love in Vain,” became famous when covered by rock artists years later. A legend grew up around him that he had sold his soul to the devil to become the best guitar player in the Mississippi Delta. Johnson was poisoned by the cuckolded husband of one of his lovers in 1938.

Well-known people who were born today include singer Enrique Iglesias, Hall of Fame football player Ronnie Lott, author Thomas Pynchon (Vineland, Gravity’s Rainbow), comedian Don Rickles and singer Cathryn Antoinette “Toni” Tennille of Captain & Tennille.