The legendary Johnny Cash was born on February 26, 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas. Cash was known for his distinctive baritone singing voice and his eclectic musical style that blended numerous genres including country, rock, blues, and gospel music. During his storied career he went on to become one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with more than 90 million records sold worldwide. Throughout his career, Cash was known for his powerful and evocative lyrics that often addressed themes of love, heartbreak, and social justice. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of the Man in Black’s career.
Hello, I’m Staff Sergeant Johnny Cash, United States Air Force
Johnny Cash really has been everywhere. Did you know that before his rise to musical stardom, Cash served in the United States Air Force as a Morse code operator? During his tour, he was stationed in Germany from 1950 to 1954, and it was during this time that he began writing and performing music. Cash later described his time in the military as a turning point in his life, saying that it gave him the discipline and focus he needed to pursue his musical ambitions.
Cash and The Million Dollar Quartet
Cash began his musical career in the 1950s, and his first single, “Cry! Cry! Cry!”, was released in 1955. He went on to have a string of hit songs, including “I Walk the Line,” “Ring of Fire,” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” After striking gold on the country charts, Johnny Cash wandered into Sun Studio simply to watch Carl Perkins perform at one of his sessions. What happened next is a thing of legend. On that day in 1956, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, and Carl Perkins recorded an impromptu jam session at Sun Studios in Memphis, which was later released as an album called “The Million Dollar Quartet.” Although the session resulted from pure luck, it is considered a seminal moment in the history of rock and roll. The tracks from “The Million Dollar Quartet” include instrumental versions of standards like “Jingle Bells” and “White Christmas” nestled among hits like “Don’t be Cruel.”
Concert at Folsom Prison
Cash’s famous performance at Folsom Prison in California in 1965 was a turning point in Cash’s career, and it helped to establish him as a powerful voice for social justice and human rights. This concert was recorded and released as an album called “At Folsom Prison,” and it is widely considered to be among the greatest live albums of all time. Cash’s performance at Folsom Prison was part of a broader movement in the 1960s to bring attention to the harsh and often inhumane conditions in America’s prisons. The concert was a powerful statement about the need for reform and a call to action for people to stand up against the injustices of the criminal justice system. The album was a huge success, and it helped to raise awareness about the issues facing prisoners and to spark a conversation about the need for change. Cash would later advocate for prison reform at a White House meeting with Richard Nixon in 1972.
The Johnny Cash Show?
Yes, it happened. From March 1969 until June 1971, The Johnny Cash Show was a variety television show airing on ABC in the United States. In fact, this is where his famous catch phrase “I’m Johnny Cash” originated, as he opened each episode delivering the phrase in his trademark baritone voice. Cash’s show featured appearances by greats like Carl Perkins, Dusty Springfield, Kenny Rogers, Roy Obison, Rod McKuen, Joni Mitchell, and Bob Dylan. The show was not without controversy, though, as Cash invited Peter Seeger, who really caused a firestorm after performing his anti-Vietnam war song “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy” at another network. A DVD “The Best of The Johnny Cash TV Show” was released in 2007. It included over sixty performances from the original show.
Johnny Cash, T.V. Villain
In a 1974 episode of the hit television detective series Columbo, Johnny Cash took an unsurprisingly dark turn as a murderous gospel singer trying to make a double murder appear to have been solely the result of an airplane accident. The idea was positively diabolical: take the victims up in a small airplane, drug them, and then jump out with the plane’s lone parachute. The scheme was going pretty good for the Man in Black until he broke his ankle upon landing with his chute. Imagine surviving a plane crash with just an injured foot. A miracle? Columbo is not so sure. Cash’s performance as the murderous Tommy Brown might not have fooled Columbo, but it sent shivers up the spines of viewers.
Cash went wandering with U2
In February of 1993, and nearly four decades after his random jam session with The Million Dollar Quartet, Johnny Cash went to the studio in Dublin to record “The Wanderer,” which had been written specifically for him. The song describes searching for God in a world nearly unfamiliar to the singer, which a younger Johnny Cash could not even have imagined, let alone sing about. The song, which was set against a desolate sonic landscape, had backing vocals and harmonies by U2’s frontman, Bono.
Cash covered Nine Inch Nails and Depeche Mode
Musicians frequently cover one another’s music, but it’s not often that they cross genres to do so. Near the end of his illustrious career, Johnny Cash went to the studio to record several stunning covers of other artist’s songs. Among them were “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails and “Personal Jesus” by Depeche Mode. In retrospect, the marriage of Cash’s bassy vocals with the darkly introspective lyrics of “Hurt” make perfect sense. Yet, Cash’s powerful vocal performance revealed the depths of the singer’s anguish over the pain he had brought others as well as his own self-destructive tendencies. Johnny Cash’s version of “Hurt” not only transcended the original recording, but it helped to win him a generation of new fans.
In “Personal Jesus,” the crooner feasted on the outlandish lyrics of the Martin Gore-penned 1989 Depeche Mode hit. Turning the previously keyboard-driven pop song into a guitar-heavy country number, Cash explored new territory with the line “pick up the receiver, I’ll make you a believer.”
The Man in Black
More than just a look, the “Man in Black” image was a profound statement. Indeed, Johnny Cash was particularly well-known for his all-black stage attire, and he was often referred to as the “Man in Black.” He adopted this distinctive look early in his career as a way of expressing his solidarity with the poor and marginalized people of the world. Cash wore black as a way of making powerful artistic statements about the suffering of the downtrodden. It can be said that Cash did not let his fame go to waste as he used his music and performances to raise awareness about social and political issues.
Johnny Cash was a beloved musical icon and a powerful voice for social justice and human rights. Throughout his career, he blended country, rock, blues, and gospel music to create a unique and powerful sound that still resonates with audiences today.
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FAQs
Why was Johnny Cash dressed in black? ›
It's been reported that Cash wore a black shirt at his first performance at a Memphis church because he wanted to look “smart,” and that he continued to wear black for good luck in every performance after. Later, the Man in Black had this to say about his apparel: “I wore black because I liked it.
When did Johnny Cash became known as the Man in Black? ›“Man in Black” was introduced during an episode of Cash's series just one day after he recorded it on February 16th, 1971, at Nashville's Columbia Studios.
Was Johnny Cash in the military? ›Before legendary country musician Johnny Cash became the Man in Black, he served during the Cold War as a man in blue with the U.S. Air Force. Shortly after his marriage to first wife, Vivian, Staff Sgt.
Did Johnny Cash have children? ›Johnny Cash
What kind of shirt did Johnny Cash wear? ›While many performers in the 1970s were wearing cowboy boots and rhinestones, Johnny stood out with his all-black ensembles. In the beginning, Johnny and his band members had to scrounge up something they all had in common, the only thing they had in common: the black shirt.
Did Johnny Cash support the Vietnam war? ›Johnny and June Cash went to Vietnam in 1971 to perform for the troops. He was a veteran himself, and an American patriot. He felt it was his duty to perform a series of concerts for those who were serving their country. After that tour, he became a fervent anti-war protester.
What country singer wears all black? ›Johnny Cash answers the age-old question, why does the country legend always wear black? The iconic Cash would give the answer the only way he knew how; with a song.
How did Johnny Cash impact the world? ›In addition to performing for prison inmates, Johnny Cash campaigned for prison reform, corresponded with inmates and helped many return to society. His 1975 autobiography Man in Black sold 1.3 million copies.
Did Johnny Cash have a gun? ›Colt's Classic Texas Paterson – Johnny Cash's Favorite Gun
You already know about Johnny Cash the performer, but you may not know that Johnny is also an avid collector of fine firearms.
While the paths of Cash and Elvis crossed a number of times throughout their careers, the duo were never particularly close friends. Despite that, the admiration for each other's work remained strong and, while writing in his autobiography, Johnny Cash said: “Elvis was so good.
Was Clint Eastwood in the military? ›
11, we're honoring stars who have served in America's armed forces. First up, here's Clint Eastwood, who served in the Army during the Korean War. He was sent to Ft. Ord in California for basic training, got a job as a swimming instructor and remained at Ft.
Who inherited all of Johnny Cash's money? ›Johnny died just four months later on September 12, and his son recalled his mother's death being the most difficult thing his father had endured. The Hurt singer reportedly left almost all of his estate to his son John, as well as publishing rights from his iconic song Ring of Fire.
How long did Johnny Cash live after June died? ›After June's death, Cash stated his belief that his only reason for living was his music, and he died only four months later.
Did Johnny Cash leave money to all his children? ›Cash's four kids with his first wife — Rosanne, Cindy, Tara, and Kathleen — didn't get any royalties from the song. Johnny gave each of his four daughters $1 million in his will.
What kind of boots did Johnny Cash wear? ›Lucchese Handmade Leather Boots.
What hairstyle did Johnny Cash have? ›Johnny Cash adopted the rebellious 50's hairstyle which features volume on the front that is slicked back to create a bump of hair that resembles a wedge from the side. Today, the pompadour isn't just for Cash impersonators anymore, and it has made a comeback with the resurgence of a vintage, rockabilly look.
Which president is most responsible for Vietnam War? ›Johnson: Foreign Affairs. The major initiative in the Lyndon Johnson presidency was the Vietnam War. By 1968, the United States had 548,000 troops in Vietnam and had already lost 30,000 Americans there.
Did Kennedy want the Vietnam War? ›Kennedy was concerned at the advances being made by the communist Viet Cong, but did not want to become involved in a land war in Vietnam. He hoped that the military aid would be sufficient to strengthen the Saigon government and its armed forces against the Viet Cong.
What song did Johnny Cash refuse to sing at the White House? ›Cash on the telephone and that he had made it clear that if the choice were his alone he would rather not sing “Welfare Cadilac,” which is spelled with one “1.” She said she had told him that the choice was his. Mr. Nixon had also requested that Mr.
Who is the biggest black singer? ›- Aretha Franklin.
- Prince.
- Whitney Houston.
- Michael Jackson.
- Rihanna.
- Marvin Gaye.
- Beyoncé
- Jimi Hendrix.
Who is the biggest black country singer? ›
Within country music, Charley Pride is the most successful black country musician to date. After Elvis Presley, Pride is the second best-selling artist at RCA Records. One of the most interesting aspects of his musical success is that it is actually his second career.
Who is the first black female country singer? ›Linda Martell (born Thelma Bynem; June 4, 1941) is an American singer. She became the first commercially successful black female artist in the country music field and the first to play the Grand Ole Opry.
Why did Johnny Cash lose his eyesight? ›Glaucoma has stolen most of his eyesight; asthma keeps him fighting for breath. (In 1999, Cash was misdiagnosed with Shy-Drager, a Parkinson's like neurological disorder he says he knew he never had. “An old man knows in his bones if he's got a debilitating disease,” he says. “And I knew I didn't have that one.”)
Why was Johnny Cash so great? ›Cash was a genius at making his songs easy with his guitar, while at the same time adding some true severity with his voice. A voice that did not fail to be haunting even when it became fragile in Cash's late years. His version of “Hurt” is simply one of the most touching songs ever sung.
How did Johnny Cash change society? ›Johnny Cash began making music in 1955 upon returning from West Germany after a three-year enlistment in the Air Force. His first records had a lasting impact on the whole of American music and culture. He was there for the foundation of rock 'n' roll and became one of the top-selling country music artists of all time.
Who owns Johnny Got His Gun? ›Metallica owns the rights to this movie. James Hetfield from Metallica had the idea of a man being trapped inside his body as a song subject for a while, but didn't know how to move forward with it.
Did Mark Twain carry a gun? ›Mark Twain, who carried a pocket model Smith & Wesson . 22 on his western travels wrote, “It was grand. It only had one fault—you couldn't hit anything with it.”
Did Johnny Cash have a felony? ›Johnny Cash earned a reputation as an outlaw after being arrested and spending a handful of nights in jail for minor offenses. Contrary to popular myths, The Arkansas-native was never convicted of a felony or spent time in prison – except when he was performing for inmates.
Did Marilyn Monroe and Elvis meet? ›Well, as a public, we knew that Marilyn and Elvis had met once at on set at Paramount Studios in June 1960. But did nothing happened after that? Well, a publicity and management agent, Byron Raphael had revealed the most scintillating affair report and it had gone wildfire.
What did Johnny Cash think of Elvis Presley? ›'The Elvis I knew was a kid full of fun', said Cash. 'He loved his work, loved his music, loved his guitar, loved gospel music and loved his mother'.
Who was Johnny Cash's best friends? ›
Cash counted several country stars among his best friends, including Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, and the “Hillbilly Heartthrob,” Faron Young.
Was Frank Sinatra in the military? ›Frank Sinatra never went to war, but he did in the movies. Classified as 4F (not acceptable for service in the Armed Forces) by his local draft board due to a pierced eardrum, Sinatra spent the war years at home achieving fame and success.
Did John Wayne ever serve in the military? ›Wayne never enlisted and even filed for a 3-A draft deferment, which meant that if the sole provider for a family of four were drafted, it would cause his family undue hardship. The closest he ever came to World War II service was portraying the actions of others on the silver screen.
Was Chuck Norris in the military? ›Norris, who served in the Air Force before rising to fame, says in his video that he was named an honorary Marine several years ago and has been proud of that distinction ever since.
How much money was Johnny Cash worth when he died? ›Johnny Cash was an American singer and songwriter who had a net worth of $60 million at the time of his death, after adjusting for inflation. Cash became incredibly successful during his career, selling over 90 million records worldwide and establishing himself as one of the best-selling musicians of all time.
Who went to Johnny Cash's funeral? ›Artists attending the service, which was closed to the general public, included Merle Kilgore, Dwight Yoakam, Marty Stuart, Connie Smith, the Statler Brothers, the Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Scruggs, Cash's first drummer W.S. Holland, Trick Pony, John Mellencamp, Kid Rock, Hank Williams Jr., Ricky Skaggs, the Whites, ...
Where was Johnny Cash's house? ›Johnny Cash residence
Cash and his wife lived nearby at 200 Caudill Drive in Hendersonville, overlooking Old Hickory Lake, from 1968 until Cash's death in 2003. The mansion covered 14,000 square feet.
Johnny Cash was notorious for his sweet tooth and the Herald Dispatch reports that chocolate pie was one of his favorites.
Why was Johnny Cash in a wheelchair? ›Diabetes had cost Johnny Cash much of his sight, and he needed a wheelchair. Losing his wife June was crushing. Yet, in retrospect, producer Rick Rubin wasn't surprised to hear Cash's plea the day after June died in May 2003. He needed to work.
What type of diabetes did Johnny Cash have? ›Country music superstar and legendary Man in Black, Johnny Cash had Type 2 diabetes. The singer-songwriter was behind such hits as Ring Of Fire, Boy Named Sue and Jackson.