Legends & Myths

Robert Johnson sells his soul to the Devil

            Many critics would agree that Robert Johnson is, indeed, the king of the blues. The story behind that title is somewhat sophisticated. The legend is Robert Johnson met a man with a dog, which would not stop howling, at a crossroad. At this crossroad, the man offered Johnson, or rather the devil, a chance to become the King of the Delta Blues. Robert Johnson quickly took the offer. However, as a result of taking the offer, Johnson was forced to give up his soul to the man. Despite having all of the whiskey and women and talent one could ask for, Johnson would not be able to live a good life due to selling his soul.

Robert Johnson Sold His Soul to the Devil in Rosedale, Mississippi :: Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog." :: Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://www.vagablogging.net/robert-johnson-sold-his-soul-to-the-devil-in-rosedale-mississippi.html>.

Ozzy Osbourne’s taste for doves and bats

            Ozzy Osbourne has always been known for his controversial acts, whether they are severe or not. Osbourne also had a reputation for throwing pig livers and cow intestines into the crowd. In his show in Des Moines, California, a fan of Ozzy threw a live bat onto the stage.  According to Ozzy, he believed that the bat was a toy. This was not Ozzy’s first encounter with a live animal. Nearly a year before the show, Ozzy had beheaded two doves, again using his teeth to do so. Ozzy’s excuse for biting off the heads of two doves? He claimed that he was drunk after drinking a bottle of brandy.

"The Urban Legend of Ozzy Osbourne and the Bat." Performing Songwriter. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://performingsongwriter.com/ozzys-urban-legend/>.

            The mythology surrounding the Abbey Road cover

The cover of Abbey Road by The Beatles sparked a large controversy. Theories upon theories were constructed due to the cover’s distinct characteristics. The biggest theory that rose after the cover was released was that Paul McCartney was dead. The legend said that Paul McCartney died due to a car accident and an imposter portrays the “Paul McCartney” in the cover. There were several reasons for this theory. On the cover, McCartney is seen holding a cigarette with his right hand when he is, in fact, left-handed. Also, an Australian version of the album cover there is a bloodstain visible, which is supposed to resemble the blood on the ground after McCartney got killed in the car accident. Another symbol that is found is the image of the Grim Reaper. According to the legend, an image of the Grim Reaper is visible of when the back cover is turned forty-five degrees counter clockwise. Of course, these are just several of the symbols that are proposed by theorists.

"Pictured: The Beatles Album Cover That Started a Decades-long Conspiracy Theory | Mail Online." Home | Mail Online. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1205310/Pictured-The-Beatles-album-cover-started-decades-long-conspiracy-theory.html>.

Bob Dylan goes electric

            Bob Dylan is known in the music industry as one of the best in the folk music genre. However, when Dylan changed from acoustic to electric, his audience did not approve of it. Performing in the Newport Folk Festival on July 25, 1965, Dylan changed from acoustic to electric. At first, there were mixed reactions amongst the crowd as he played “Maggie’s farm”. However, as he began to play other songs, more and more of the audience began to dislike Dylan’s transformation.

"Dylan Goes Electric at the Newport Folk Festival — History.com This Day in History — 7/25/1965." History.com — History Made Every Day — American & World History. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/dylan-goes-electric-at-the-newport-folk-festival>.

Controversy of Tupac’s death

            Tupac was major influence on the rap community in not only in California, but the rest of the world as well. On September 7, 1996, Tupac was apparently shot and later died due to his wounds. One of the most known theories is that Tupac feigned his death to fool his enemies and make higher revenue. However, many believe that Tupac is still, indeed, alive and there was some evidence to prove it. Prior to his death, Tupac changed his emcee name to Makaveli after Nicolo Machiavelli, who was an Italian war strategist who was known for writing books that described faking a death to fool his/her enemies. Also, Tupac was apparently cremated the day after his death with no autopsy done. Even after his death, the deceased Tupac released two movies and three LP’s, and of course his revenues skyrocketed. There are many other subtle facts that help prove Tupac could still be alive. Although, the main facts are the ones that have been listed.

Katzenstein, Jeff. "Tupac Shakur Raps and Acts Even after His Own Death - Focus." The Johns Hopkins News-Letter. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://media.www.jhunewsletter.com/media/storage/paper932/news/2002/03/08/Focus/Tupac.Shakur.Raps.And.Acts.Even.After.His.Own.Death-2248164.shtml>.

Sgt. Pepper Cover

            On the Sgt. Pepper cover, the three people I recognize are Edgar Allen Poe, Bob Dylan, and Marilyn Monroe.  Edgar Allen Poe was an author who dealt with alcoholism. Bob Dylan is one of the greatest folk songwriters in history. Marilyn Monroe is a famous actress who was a model and died due to an overdose. Three people who I do not recognize are Albert Stubbins, Karl Marx, and Sonny Liston. Marx was known for being a sociologist, a philosopher, and a political theorist. Sonny Liston was a famous professional boxer and was an ex-convict and won the world heavy weight championship in 1962. Albert Stubbins was an English soccer player and played the center forward position.