Which blues artist is associated with the '27 Club' and renowned for advanced guitar technique?

• A. Robert Johnson
• B. B.B. King
• C. Muddy Waters
• D. Howlin' Wolf

Answer: (A)

Robert Johnson fits the description because he died at age 27, placing him in the infamous 27 Club, and he’s celebrated for guitar work that was highly advanced for his era. His mastery of the bottleneck slide and intricate fingerpicked patterns pushed blues guitar beyond simple accompaniment, delivering driving rhythms, bold bends, and expressive phrasing that influenced countless players who followed. Songs such as Cross Road Blues showcase how he combined tight, propelled rhythm with melodic slides, creating a sound that many later rock and blues guitarists studied and emulated. While other blues legends are towering figures on the instrument, their lives extended beyond 27, so Johnson uniquely links the two ideas in this question.