Man in black: Who is Johnny Cash?

Johnny Cash (February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was a guitarist, songwriter, and husband of June Carter Cash who significantly influenced American rock and country music.

He was famous for his deep and original voice, his orchestra called the Tennessee Trio, also known as the "freight train", and his black clothes and attitude, which earned him the reputation of "the man in black clothes". He would start all his concerts with a simple introduction: "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash."

Especially towards the end of his career, he made music whose main theme was sadness and suffering. "I Walk the Line", "Folsom Prison Blues", "Ring of Fire", "Man In Black" and "Hurt" were some of his most famous songs. He also wrote humorous, entertaining songs such as "One Piece At A Time", "The One on the Right is on the Left" and "A Boy Named Sue". He and his wife chose Joaquin Phoenix, who played him, and Reese Witherspoon, who played his wife June Carter, in the movie "Walk the Line", which tells his life story, before their deaths.

John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Most of Cash's music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. He was known for his deep, calm bass-baritone voice, the distinctive sound of his Tennessee Three backing band characterized by train-like chugging guitar rhythms, a rebelliousness coupled with an increasingly somber and humble demeanor, free prison concerts, and a trademark all-black stage wardrobe, which earned him the nickname the "Man in Black".

Johnny Cash was born as "J R Cash" in Arkansas to Ray and Carrie Cash. In 1944, his brother was caught in a saw while chopping wood and died. This death caused major problems in family life. Growing up surrounded by music in a home where the radio was always listened to, Cash started playing guitar and singing in high school. He changed his name to "John R Cash" while working in the Air Force.

Early years in music

Cash served in the American army for many years. At the end of his military service, he married Vivian Liberto on August 7, 1954. Later that year, Cash began playing with guitarist Luther Perkins and bassist Marshall Grant. They played church songs for Sun Records as Johnny Cash and the Tennesse Duo, but company officials told them to come up with their own compositions. Cash recorded the songs "Hey Porter" and "Cry Cry Cry" in 1955, and the songs entered the country charts.

The song "I Walk The Line" became Cash's first number-one song on the country charts and also entered the top twenty on the pop charts. Thanks to the success of these songs, Cash released his first album on Sun Records. In 1958, Cash signed with a larger label, Columbia Records. He released the hit song "Don't Take Your Guns to the Ground" from this company.

Drug addiction

In the early 1960s, Johnny Cash became addicted to amphetamines and barbiturates. The artist had placed his pills all over the house. When he didn't get them, he went into a big crisis. However, during these years, the song "Ring of Fire" written by June Carter, who would later become his wife, became number one on the country charts. The song made references to both Carter's forbidden love with Cash and Cash's addictions.

In later years, Cash's behavior worsened under the influence of drugs. In 1965, the artist's truck caught fire, burning many trees and killing animals. The court ordered Johnny Cash to pay $125,000. The same year, he was caught by narcotics in Texas and sentenced again. Again in the same year, he was arrested for plucking flowers from private property. During this period, the artist focused on concept albums. In 1966, Johnny and Vivian divorced due to Cash's problems.

Cash rested for a while after his divorce from his wife and the cancellation of his concerts. The artist made a successful return to music with the "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison" concert in 1968. "A Boy Named Sue", released from this concert album, again reached number one on the country charts, and this concert album was described as one of the most important concert albums of all time.

The artist began hosting "The Johnny Cash Show" on television between 1969 and 1971. The program hosted famous American artists. During these years, the friendship between Cash and Bob Dylan also grew. In 1971, Cash achieved success with his self-described song "Man in Black". During these years, he attracted attention with his black clothes that he always wore. The idea of wearing black arose when Cash was starting out in music because it was the only color that matched the clothes of his band members.

In 1975, Cash published his first autobiography, "Man in Black." Although Cash's musical success decreased, he became one of the most important names in America with the book he published and his television roles.

The artist also made good friends with American presidents. In 1972, Richard Nixon invited Cash to the White House to perform. Cash did not play the country songs that Nixon requested, saying he did not know them, and instead gave a concert of his songs with a more political message. Another US president, Jimmy Carter, was one of Cash's most important friends.

He underwent a double bypass after going to the doctor for a check-up in 1988. The artist said that he nearly died during the surgery. After the surgery, Johnny Cash refused to take pills to avoid returning to his addiction days. In 1990, The Highwaymen released their second album, "Highwaymen 2". Although the album was not as successful as the first, it peaked at number four on the country charts.

In 1994, produced by Rick Rubin, Cash released the album "American Recordings", in which he interpreted old American songs with only his guitar. The album surprisingly received great praise and earned the artist a Grammy. In 1994, he performed at the Glastonbury Festival and met the younger generation. Two years later, the second album of the American Recordings series, "Unchained", was released and again won a Grammy. In 1997, Cash published his second biography, "Cash: The Autobiography."

In the late 90s, the artist began to struggle with health problems caused by diabetes. That's why he had to cancel his tours. Then pneumonia appeared.

Death

Cash's wife, June Carter Cash, died on May 15, 2003, at the age of 73, as a result of an illness following the replacement of her heart valves. Complying with Carter's wish before his death, Johnny Cash continued his concerts; but he could barely go to concerts. Cash gave his last concert on July 5, 2003.

Four months after his wife's death, Johnny Cash died on September 12, 2003. According to his will, he was buried next to his wife in the cemetery next to his house. On May 24, 2005, his first wife, Vivian Liberto, also died of lung cancer. In 2005, the movie Walk The Line, about the life of Johnny Cash, was released.

Discography

* 1958 – The Fabulous Johnny Cash

* 1959 – Hymns by Johnny Cash

* 1959 – Songs of Our Soil

* 1960 – Ride This Train

* 1960 – Now, There Was a Song!

* 1961 – The Lure of the Grand Canyon

* 1962 – Hymns from the Heart

* 1962 – The Sound of Johnny Cash

* 1963 – Blood, Sweat, and Tears

* 1963 – Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash

* 1963 – The Christmas Spirit

* 1964 – I Walk the Line

* 1964 – Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian

* 1965 – Orange Blossom Special

* 1965 – Sings the Ballads of the True West

* 1966 – Everybody Loves a Nut

* 1966 – Happiness Is You

* 1967 – Carryin' On with Johnny Cash and June Carter

* 1968 – From Sea to Shining Sea

* 1968 – At Folsom Prison (live)

* 1968 – Old Golden Throat

* 1968 – Heart of Cash

* 1968 – The Holy Land

* 1969 – At San Quentin (live)

* 1969 – More of Old Golden Throat

* 1970 – Hello, I'm Johnny Cash

* 1970 – The Johnny Cash Show (live)

* 1970 – I Walk the Line - Movie Soundtrack

* 1970 – Little Fauss and Big Halsy - Movie Soundtrack

* 1971 – Man in Black

* 1972 – A Thing Called Love

* 1972 – America: A 200-Year Salute in Story and Song

* 1972 – The Johnny Cash Family Christmas

* 1972 – International Superstar

* 1973 – På Österåker (live)

* 1973 – Any Old Wind That Blows

* 1973 – The Gospel Road

* 1973 – Johnny Cash and His Woman

* 1974 – Ragged Old Flag

* 1974 – Junkie and the Juicehead Minus Me

* 1975 – The Children's Album

* 1975 – Sings Precious Memories

* 1975 – John R. Cash

* 1975 – Look at Them Beans

* 1975 – Strawberry Cake (live)

* 1976 – One Piece at a Time

* 1977 – The Last Gunfighter Ballad

* 1977 – The Rambler

* 1978 – I Would Like to See You Again

* 1978 – Gone Girl

* 1979 – Silver

* 1980 – Rockabilly Blues

* 1980 – Classic Christmas

* 1981 – The Baron

* 1982 – The Adventures of Johnny Cash

* 1983 – Johnny 99

* 1986 – Rainbow