Johnny Cash

JR Cash (Johnny Cash) was born on February 26, 1932 and passed into RockandRollHeaven.com on September 12, 2003.

Johnny was an American singer & songwriter and most of his music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. 

Johnny Cash was known for his deep, calm, bass-baritone voice, that had a very distinctive sound with his backing band, the Tennessee Three characterizing his train like chugging guitar rhythms with a cultural mainstream rebelliousness that coupled with an increasingly somber and humble demeanor, and his free prison concerts.

Johnny wore a trademark all black stage wardrobe, earning him the nickname "The Man in Black."

Johnny was born to poor cotton farmers in Kingsland, Arkansas, and  grew up on gospel music and played on a local radio station in high school. He served four years in the Air Force, and much of it in West Germany. 

After his return to the United States, he rose to fame during the mid - 1950s in the rockabilly scene in Memphis, Tennessee, where  Johnny traditionally began his concerts by introducing himself with "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash." 

He began to follow his opening with "Folsom Prison Blues", one of his major signature songs, while other songs included "I Walk the Line," "Ring of Fire," "Get Rhythm," and "Man in Black". He also recorded humorous numbers like "One Piece at a Time" and "A Boy Named Sue," and a duet with his wife June Carter Cash called "Jackson" (followed by other duets after they were married). Johnny also was known for his railroad songs such as "Hey, Porter," "Orange Blossom Special," and "Rock Island Line."

During the last stage of his career, Johnny covered many other songs by contemporary rock artists; among his most notable covers were "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails, "Rusty Cage" by Soundgarden, and "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode.

Johnny Cash is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide. 

Johnny's career spanning music career embraced country,  rock-a-billy, blues, folk, rock and roll and a number of gospel songs.  This crossover appeal earned him the rare honor of being inducted into the Country Music, Rock and Roll, and Gospel Music Halls of Fame.