Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Crossroads!
A place where deals are made and legends are born…
This musical drama had its theatrical release on March 14, 1986.
This is an image of a poster for the 1986 film Crossroads. Copyright Columbia Pictures.
Inspired by the legend of the late Blues musician Robert Johnson, the film stars Ralph Macchio (as Eugene Martone), the late Joe Seneca (as Willie Brown), and Jami Gertz (as Frances). Crossroads features an original score by Ry Cooder, classical guitar by William Kanengiser, and harmonica by the late Sonny Terry. Steve Vai appears in the film as the devil's virtuosic guitar player (Jack Butler) in the climactic guitar duel. Although Crossroads received positive reviews from critics, it was not a financial success. However, it has been considered a cult classic, particularly among musicians and guitarists [myself included].
Source: Wikipedia.org
Influences
I first saw this film in the early ‘90s, after a co-worker, who was also a part-time professional Rock and Blues guitarist, recommended that I check out the movie, as well as the electrified guitar playing of Steve Vai. I remembered Steve when he was the lead guitarist in David Lee Roth’s band a few years prior, but I was not familiar with his other works. After becoming better acquainted with Vai’s solo albums, he quickly became one of my primary influences.
My co-worker also directed me to renowned musician and Blues guitarist Ry Cooder who wrote the movie’s original score.
I like this movie and enjoy learning more about the history of Blues music. The film’s plot touches upon the legends of the late Robert Johnson (1911-1938) and the infamous crossroads in Mississippi.
“I went down to the crossroads…”
Crossroads sign in Clarksdale, Mississippi
Original Photo Credit: Bigmacthealmanac, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Filtered by Anthony Woodard
Johnson's poorly documented life and death have given rise to such legends. The one most often associated with him is that he sold his soul to the devil at a local crossroads in return for musical success.
Source: Wikipedia.org
What is not disputed, is Robert’s influence on other legendary musicians, including Eric Clapton, Robert Plant, and Keith Richards, who in turn influenced me.
Arguably, the first ever rock star…
The Hook Brothers studio portrait of the late Robert Johnson in a hat and pinstriped suit holding a 1928 Gibson L-1 acoustic guitar circa 1936. Sadly, Robert was also the first member of the "27 Club".
Photo Credit: GMK2023 CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
“Ain't nothing ever as good as we want it to be!”
The late actor and singer Joe Seneca portrayed the late Willie Brown (1900-1952). Willie influenced Robert Johnson and is considered a pioneer in the Delta Blues sub-genre. Legend has it that he also “sold his soul to the devil.”
Willie reportedly was not a self-promoting frontman, preferring to "second" other musicians. Little is known for certain about the man whom Johnson called "my friend Willie Brown" (in his “Cross Road Blues” a/k/a “Crossroads”) and whom Johnson once indicated should be notified in event of his death.
Source: Wikipedia.org
While brief, the late actor Robert Judd made an impact with his cunning portrayal of the devil (Legba). His appearance naturally announces the film’s climax and epic guitar duel.
The legend of the crossroads is often cited as a metaphor for the intense dedication and struggle of blues artists, or a cautionary tale regarding the pursuit of fame.
Source: Wikipedia.org
Regardless of its origin, there is a lesson to be learned and a path forward…
…Trust in Jesus.
Image by Dan Meyers from Unsplash