Johnny Cash
Born J. R. Cash, on February 26, 1932, Johnny Cash, also known as the ‘Man In Black’, was to become an enduring American Icon. One of the most influential stars in the areas of Rock n Roll and Country Music, Cash like many other musicians, led a rebellious life and struggled through life with an alcohol addiction.
Growing up on a farm, Johnny Cash wasn’t hidden from the world of music. In fact, he was inspired by the common folk that his mother would sing as she busied herself in her household duties. She was a great influence on him and encouraged him and taught him to play the guitar as a young boy. In 1954, Cash built up the courage to present himself at Sun Records in order to record and produce a Gospel album. The record producer, Sam Philips, had a different idea and attempted to turn Cash away from Gospel. But in 1957, Cash left Sun Records for a larger label, Columbia Records with the hope of singing gospel still lingering.
Johnny Cash and June Carter
Known for his rebellious action, Johnny Cash lived through a stage of drug and alcohol abuse, particularly in the 1960s when he became heavily addicted to amphetamines and barbiturates. He stopped this habit, with the assistance of his wife-to-be, June Carter Cash, for some time until in 1983, after an accident in which he was wounded by an ostrich, he relapsed into addiction from the painkillers. Once again Cash lived through this. In 1988 when he had his doubly bypass surgery, Cash refused to take painkillers, lest he become addicted again and relapse into his addiction to drugs.
Johnny Cash was divorced by his first wife of 12 years, Vivian Liberto in 1966 and in 1968, Cash proposed to June Carter, whom he had met 12 years prior while backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, during a live performance of ‘Jackson’ in London Ontario. They were married on March 1, 1968. Together, the couple had a son, John Carter Cash. They won 2 Grammy awards for their duets, ‘Jackson’ and ‘If I Were A Carpenter’.
Cash’s image as ‘The Man in Black’ first appeared in the early 1970s, with Cash constantly appearing on and off stage in an all black costume. Cash explained his reasoning for his dress code on behalf of the poor and hungry, the prisoners who are yet to be freed, people that are betrayed by drugs, and all the innocent lives that were lost in the Vietnam War. As quoted by The Register-Guard “His music focuses on the tough, barren, troubled life of common folk”. These ideas strongly influenced his life as he not only dressed in black, but dedicated a song to ‘The Man in Black’.
The Song Lyrics talk about all the reasons that Johnny Cash dresses in black. Evidently, the reason is because he feels that no one remembers those less fortunate than themselves, hence he has to be the one to act sober in the public eye in order for people to understand that there are those who are less fortunate than themselves.
“Well, we’re doin’ mighty fine, I do suppose,
In our streak of lightnin’ cars and fancy clothes,
But just so we’re reminded of the ones who are held back,
Up front there ought ‘a be a Man In Black”
Below is a video of Johnny Cash singing Man in Black:
Johnny Cash isn’t one to only please adults. He was also featured on the childrens show, ‘Sesame Street’ singing Nasty Dan for the character Oscar.
The man who always introduced himself on stage as “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash”, won 10 Grammy Awards and was inducted in the Rock n Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame. His 4th chart single, ‘I Walk The Line’ increased his success when it reach the Billboard’s No.1 Position, maintaining that position for 43 weeks. He recorded entire albums live in Folsom and San Quentin Prisons in front of the prisoners, emphasizing his feelings for those locked behind iron bars.
Johnny Cash was truly an inspirational music artist who released dozens of albums and wrote over 1000 songs all of which are available music downloads. In 2005, Walk The Line, a film depicting the life of Cash was produced and in 2009 Johnny Cash and the Paradox of American Identity was published. His legacy lives on through his influence in music and the musical careers of his children Rosanne Cash and John Carter Cash.
Tags: j. r. cash, Johnny Cash, johnny cash and the paradox of american identity, june carter cash, man in black, nasty dan, walk the line