Why is Robert Johnson referred to as a grandfather of rock ?
Robert Johnson is not really a blues creator. Blues already existed in the recording 15 years before he recorded. Son House is more deserved to be the creator of Delta blues, with rough vocals and slide guitar riffs played with steel guitars. The specialty of Johnson is in creating an artful new sound. His style in the use of bass strings in creating a steady and rolling rhythm was heard in "Sweet Home Chicago", and his passion for grabbing melodies on the upper strings was heard in "Walking Blues".
Johnson played with Howlin 'Wolf and young Sonny Boy Williamson II. He coached his adopted son Robert "Junior" Lockwood, became Elmore James's mentor and inspired Muddy Waters to play the blues, and those who are known as the Chicago blues creator actually only play Robert Johnson music with plug-ins, so the layers of influence are from Delta blues to Chicago blues to an early rock & roll which later became rock.
As Rolling Stones member Brian Jones introduced Robert Johnson's music to Keith Richards, Richards asked him, "Who's the other player?", Unaware that only Johnson himself played with a single guitar.
