Led Zeppelin Crashed Here
Robert Johnson Johnson, Robert Gunter Hotel 205 East Houston Street San Antonio, Texas 210-227-3241 The Blue Bonnet hotel at the southeast corner of Pecan and St. Mary’s Streets was torn down in 1988. For many years, it was believed that legendary blues guitarist Robert Johnson made several landmark recordings in a studio in the building in the 1930s. However, it eventually was determined his recordings were made in the Gunter Hotel and a memorial marker in the hotel lobby commemorates the Robert Johnson sessions. (Johnson’s only other recording site took place in Dallas, Texas, at 508 Park at a building that is still unmarked today). Johnson, who died at the age of 27 in 1938, recorded only twice, for a total of 29 songs. His first recordings, and the largest body of his recorded work, took place at the Gunter from November 23–27, 1936. Songs included in those sessions were “Terraplane Blues,” “Cross Road Blues,” “Sweet Home Chicago,” and “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom.” Johnson’s influence is cited as primary in the musical careers of numerous artists, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
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