Robert Johnson's family tree

Subject: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: Little Robert
Date: 08 Nov 00 - 07:27 PM

Hi, My name is Robert Harris...............Robert L. Johnson's great nephew. You've probably heard of me through the heirship case concerning my uncle's estate. The case is still on going and in appeal. ........I'm just courious about how the blues community feels about the estate case.........how it was decided............and if it was decided fairly. There are still some questions left unanswered. Is claude Johnson (formerly known as claude cain) really my uncle's son. And if so......why did he wait so long to come forward (knowing my uncle's popularity). And if he is my uncle's son.......why hasn't he embraced his family (myself and my aunt) as kin? This is what puzzles me.......if I discovered that I had family that I didn't know anything about......then I would have a very strong desire to meet them.......and get to know the family who knew my father when he was alive. This is what makes me question claude's identity. If you read this.........tell me your feelings and what you think.

Thank you , Robert M. Harris

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 08 Nov 00 - 09:25 PM

Hi Robert. You'll find a few folks around here who have done a HUGE amount of listening and reading about Robert Johnson (I'm one of them). We know dates, times, places, and have eagerly jumped on any new information made available.

Could you tell us where we can find information on this case, on the internet. There's been so much anecdotal stuff written about Robert and his life and relatives, it makes it difficult to give an informed opinion.

Thanks for letting us know.

Rick Fielding

Toronto, Ontario. (near Windsor Ont. where Robert once played)

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Nov 00 - 09:50 PM

I read this a few minutes ago and was about to ask the same thing. I can't locate much on the web.

Here's One

Couple of others on Lists, but not much else.

Got any more info?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: okthen
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 02:54 PM

I'm interested too, but have little to add of much use.

DNA could hold some clues/answers

anyone else?

cheers

bill

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 03:09 PM

Robert,

I certainly think the your Uncle was one of the most important musicians of the 20th century.

However, like Bill I don't have much to add but sure would be interested in seeing any articles about this.

Steve

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 05:03 PM

Robert, does Claude's reluctance to embrace the rest of his family have anything to do with financial claims he feels may be made on him?

I think Bill's point is a good one. Give us some more details. I checked the website that Catspaw provided and their was no mention of you at all. Please come back and talk to us a bit. It's a good community here (bin goin' for a few years) but occasionally we've had folks start a thread and then just disappear. Naturally this can make us think that one of us said something to offend them, or that their post here was simply an accident while net-surfing. I'm sure that wasn't the case here, so let us know some more.

Rick

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: Dave T
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 06:04 PM

I'm surprised there isn't more info on the web or more posts to this thread. I'd sure like to know a bit more about this...the more I find out about Robert Johnson's life the more fascinating it becomes. I've tried doing some quick searches on the web to see if I could find sites other than the one Spaw listed but haven't had any luck yet (if I do I'll post).

Little Robert:
As far as how the blues community feels about the case, I can't speak for anyone but myself on this, but I, for one, would like to see surviving family members (rather than mainly record companies) receive some benefit. RJ played such a defining role in the development of blues that it's hard to imagine blues without him. Certainly he "borrowed" styles, riffs and songs from contemporaries, but he managed to bring all these influences together as no one before could. He's not always my favourite artist (of that period) to listen to and I have a !@&^%#&@ of a time figuring out some of the timing in his songs, but anyone who listens to or plays blues owes him a huge debt. It would be nice to know that surviving relatives got something back. However, without knowing more details, as others have pointed out, it's difficult to give any specific opinions. I'm sure you'll get some more feedback if you can provide more info.

Dave T

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: LDave
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 07:45 PM

The Sept.-Oct. issue of Living Blues has an article on some of the legal issues involved. One problem was the songs were not copywrited at the time of their release. Stephen LaVere managed to obtain control of the copywrites(and the cash they generated) through an agreement with Johnsons' sister Carrie Thompson, Robert Harris' mother. In June of this year Claude Johnson was declared sole heir to Johnsons' estate.

The whole area of rural uneducated bluesmen dealing with record companies, promoters, agents, etc. is a very seamy business. The musicians got screwed and their backers were held up as being wonderful altruistic people. See I'd Rather Be the Devil by Stephen Calt for more on that.

Robert, your feelings are more important than ours. I would like to hear your side of your suit against LaVere. I would also be interested in hearing any stories your mother might have had about her brother. What did she think about people from all over the world having such an interest in him?

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: Max
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 01:45 PM

I have been following the RJ cases for over 5 years now. My friend Pat Leblanc lives down in Mississippi and runs the Mississippi Delta Blues Society.   Pat also represents the family of Elmore James and others just as LaVere did RJ's. He keeps me informed about the RJ cases as well as the business. I have heard many stories questioning the integrity of LaVere, as well as his right to represent RJ. The industry seems to agree that it is very difficult to do business with him. I heard, but I am not certain this is true, that LaVere was actually suing someone for using the expression "Dust my Broom".

I suppose over the years of hearing stories, I have formed a bad opinion of him. So if real family could wrestle rights away from him, that would be OK with me.

It also makes me think about how many stories, especially in the south, are just like this one. An elusive family tree, lost relatives, etc. Most however are never going to be researched to this extent, unless Grampa's legacy in generating millions of dollars.

I am a HUGE RJ fan, as most of you know. In fact, the Mudcat may not have ever existed if I did not hear RJ's complete recordings as a teenager. If I thought for a moment that I might be related to him, I would be doing every research and test imaginable to prove it. The man is a legend, the man was magic, and maybe just maybe some of that is hereditary. Unlikely that I am a relative, being a White Polish kid from Pennsylvania, but that's OK cause I'm the reincarnated Robert Johnson.

Good luck Little Robert, it truly is amazing that you ventured onto the Mudcat. It is an honor to have you here, for without your Great Uncle, there very well be no HERE.

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 11 Nov 00 - 12:25 PM

refresh

any possibility of linking or combining these three threads, to help Robert jr. while he finds out how mudcat works?

I for one, wanna see his story continue.

Rick

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: GUEST,CraigS
Date: 11 Nov 00 - 09:45 PM

Pardon my ignorance, but I'd like to know if the legal wrangles are worth following; I understand that copyright expires 70 years after someone has died, and we're close to that with Robert Johnson. I also know that these people who "sample" other peoples' records file law suits immediately on release of their records alleging a breach of copyright by the original artist, so as to obscure the legal position until they've got away with the money. Yea, I am also aware that, for example, T-Bone Walker lost humungous amounts of money because "Stormy Monday" was copyrighted under the title of "They call it Stormy Monday", and the US Performing Rights people couldn't send the royalty money to the right man (and don't know what happened to it, either). Is is worth the wrangle?

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: The Shambles
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 04:12 AM

Robert l Johnson says hello 2

Robert l Johnson says hello (1)

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 12:28 PM

Thanks Sham. yer a good man.

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 08:14 PM

Just to say I've been in PM contact with Little Robert, so he's definitely hanging in. But am I missing something, or has he never posted twice to the same thread? If that's the case, it could just be that he hasn't sussed the way the forum works (no offence if you're reading this, LR!) Anyway I'll PM him again to explain.

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: The Shambles
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 08:11 PM

Refresh.

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: GUEST,mrmoejoerisen
Date: 15 Nov 00 - 07:56 PM

This is truly an honor to be able to communicate with a blood relative of "The King Of The Delta Blues" Robert Leroy Johnson! Little Robert when all is said and done I hope that the legal battle does not diminish nor tarnish the name of your Uncle Robert. If anything this will only strengthen the bond that his music has on our souls. I am currently wearing out my first copy of "The Complete Recordings" and I can't stop listening to it. Perhaps a deal can be struck similar to what happened for Jimi Hendrix's Estate which was given exclusively to all Family members (even a half sister!) At least that is the type of settlement I hope could be reached; one where your Uncle's name is not tarnished but rather Honored. Well keep us updated Little Robert and I for one would be interested in hearing more about your ability to copy songs by ear like your Uncle. Well TNT Peace [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: The Shambles
Date: 16 Nov 00 - 02:11 AM

The latest from Little Robert Hello 2

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree
From: GUEST,gspeirs
Date: 02 Oct 02 - 05:18 PM

Robert Johnson is perhaps the most important figure in 20th century music. Big statement, yes, but let me make this arguement.

Without RJ, there wuld be no proliferation of Delta blues northward. There would be no Kansas City Blues, no Chicago Blues. There would be no Elmore James...no Muddy Waters...no Albert King...No B.B King

Following that thought.. There would therefore be no Chuck Berry, no Rolling Stones, No Eric Clapton, no Led Zeppelin, etc. etc.

Someone who spawned such pillars of contempory music was/is truly special different.

I always recoiled at the tale of RJ selling his soul at the crossroads, but when one totals up the impact this one man and his scant recordings have meant to music this century, one has to take a step back and say: "hummm maybe.....??????"

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson's family tree in question
From: GUEST,Kathy
Date: 13 Mar 11 - 05:15 PM

I met Robert Harris by chance on Facebook. He told me his story, and of course, I scoured the internet and found Robert to be an intelligent, honest, and wonderful human being who has now become a great friend.

When he explained to me the decision the judge in Mississippi came to the conclusion that Claud Johnson was the son of RL Johnson, the name on the birth certificate, I was shocked. There was no DNA testing, as Robert's grandmother was Mr. Johnson's half sister and could prove his DNA.

Mr.Levere approached Carrie, Mr. Harris' grandmother and half sister of Robert, and obtained the two pictures of Robert that we see today. He agreed to go "half" with her for copyright ownership, and Miss Carrie decided she didn't want to do this and broke the deal, and Levere did it anyway, which, in my opinion, is breach of contract. Mr. Harris and his family has been ripped off too long by this man.

I am not saying that it is not possible that Claud Johnson is not the son of Mr. Robert Johnson; however, why he will not submit to a DNA test is beyond me. If he feels he is truly the son of this man, he would not think twice. It seems he has too much to lose.

This case has gotten to me......the travesty of it as well as the poor decision by the courts in Mississippi. Also, I believe Mr. Harris has been strung along by his attorney in CT for almost 20 years.

Sony Music is only after the pictures of Robert Johnson that Mr. Harris' family owns. They have no other interest of them at all.

It is now the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mr. Johnson. Mr. Harris has fought long and hard to be recognized by his family, and his only interest is to honour his late uncle Robert with a blues concert benefiting the musicians of the Gulf who loved Johnson's music. Money is not into play here.

I am asking anyone who can help with this to respond to this post if you are truly passionate about this.

Thank you very much, and God Bless.