Net worth | $60 million |
---|---|
Birth Name | J.R. Cash |
Stage Name | Johnny Cash |
Date of Birth | February 26, 1932 |
Place of Birth | Kingsland, Arkansas, United States |
Date of Death | September 12, 2003 |
Place of Death | Nashville, Tennessee, United States |
Nationality | American |
Zodiac sign | Pisces |
Ethnicity | Caucasian |
Religion | Christianity |
Occupation | Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Actor, Author |
Genres | Country, Rockabilly, Rock and Roll, Blues, Folk, Gospel |
Instruments | Vocals, Guitar |
Years Active | 1954–2003 |
Labels | Sun, Columbia, American |
Notable Awards | 13 Grammy Awards, Country Music Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |
Famous Songs | I Walk the Line”, “Folsom Prison Blues”, “Ring of Fire”, “Hurt” |
Legacy | One of the most influential and iconic persons in American music history |
Introduction
Picture a man with a voice that could shake the soul and lyrics that painted stories of life’s darkest corners. Johnny Cash, the legendary American country singer-songwriter, was more than just a musician. Through his heartfelt melodies, he wove tales of sorrow, redemption, and the intricacies of the human spirit.
His deep, steady bass-baritone voice, accompanied by the rhythmic chugging of his Tennessee Three band, created an unmistakable sound, almost like a melancholic yet determined train journey through the heartland of America. Cash’s aura was one of rebellion, tempered with an ever-growing humility, reflected not just in his music but also in his famed free prison concerts. Clad in his signature all-black attire, he became the “Man in Black,” a symbol of musical fearlessness and profound empathy.
Early Life and Education
In the small town of Kingsland, Arkansas, amidst the winds of the Great Depression, a young J. R. Cash first drew breath on February 26, 1932. Born to the harmonious union of Carrie Cloveree and Ray Cash, he entered a world teeming with the melodies of the South and the toils of an impoverished farming community. Sandwiched between three elder siblings and three younger ones, he found himself both embraced and overshadowed by the vibrant hum of a large family. His ancestral roots, intertwined with English, Scottish, and a touch of Cherokee lineage, hinted at a diverse heritage that would later flavor his artistic journey.
Named by a compromise between his parents, who couldn’t agree on John or Ray, young J. R. grew up under the expansive skies of Dyess, Arkansas. It was there, against the backdrop of the familial struggle and the unforgiving rhythm of the cotton fields, that Cash’s empathy for the toiling masses was forged. The flood that swept through the Cash farm left an indelible mark on his memory, birthing the poignant melody of “Five Feet High and Rising,” a testament to the resilience and hardship of those around him.
Tragedy struck with a merciless hand when his beloved brother Jack met a tragic fate, leaving Cash burdened with an eternal sense of remorse and the bittersweet hope of a reunion beyond the veil. Despite the darkness that loomed over his early years, gospel music and the pulsating hum of the radio offered solace and inspiration. A gift of a guitar and the guidance of his mother set him on a musical path, paving the way for his transformation from a young high-tenor voice to the profound bass-baritone that would echo through generations.
The Air Force beckoned, pulling him into the world beyond Dyess. Landsberg, West Germany, became a stage for his Morse code prowess, as he intercepted whispers from the Soviet Army. In the hushed moments of decoding, he was allegedly the first American to receive the news of Joseph Stalin’s passing, a tale that his daughter, Rosanne, would later affirm. Amidst the cryptic exchanges and military maneuvers, the echoes of future stardom began to reverberate. With a scar etched on his jaw as a wartime souvenir, Cash bid adieu to military life, ready to script a destiny bound in the chords of his guitar.
Career and Work
Work as a Singer-Songwriter | |
Year | Name |
1957 | Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar |
1958 | The Fabulous Johnny Cash |
1959 | Hymns by Johnny Cash |
1959 | Songs of Our Soil |
1960 | Now, There Was a Song |
1960 | Ride This Train |
1962 | Hymns from the Heart |
1963 | The Sound of Johnny Cash |
1963 | Blood, Sweat and Tears |
1964 | The Christmas Spirit |
1964 | Keep on the Sunny Side |
1964 | I Walk the Line |
1964 | Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian |
1965 | Orange Blossom Special |
1965 | Johnny Cash Sings the Ballads of the True West |
1966 | Everybody Loves a Nut |
1966 | Happiness Is You |
1967 | Carryin’ On with Johnny Cash & June Carter |
1968 | From Sea to Shining Sea |
1969 | The Holy Land |
1970 | Hello, I’m Johnny Cash |
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 |
1973 | Any Old Wind That Blows |
1973 | Johnny Cash and His Woman |
1974 | Ragged Old Flag |
1974 | The Junkie and the Juicehead Minus Me |
1975 | The Johnny Cash Children’s Album |
1975 | Johnny Cash Sings Precious Memories |
1975 | John R. Cash |
1975 | Look at Them Beans |
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 |
1979 | A Believer Sings the Truth |
1979 | Johnny Cash Sings with the BC Goodpasture Christian School |
1980 | Rockabilly Blues |
1980 | Classic Christmas |
1981 | The Baron |
1982 | The Adventures of Johnny Cash |
1983 | Johnny 99 |
1985 | Highwayman |
1985 | Rainbow |
1986 | Heroes |
1986 | Class of ’55 |
1986 | Believe in Him |
1987 | Johnny Cash Is Coming to Town |
1988 | Classic Cash: Hall of Fame Series |
1988 | Water from the Wells of Home |
1990 | Boom Chicka Boom |
1990 | Highwayman 2 |
1991 | The Mystery of Life |
1991 | Country Christmas |
1994 | American Recordings |
1995 | The Road Goes on Forever |
1996 | American II: Unchained |
2000 | American III: Solitary Man |
2002 | American IV: The Man Comes Around |
2004 | My Mother’s Hymn Book |
2006 | American V: A Hundred Highways |
2010 | American VI: Ain’t No Grave |
2014 | Out Among the Stars |
Work as a Actor | |
Year | Name |
1961 | Five Minutes to Live |
1967 | The Road to Nashville |
1971 | A Gunfight |
1973 | Gospel Road: A Story of Jesus |
1983 | Kairei |
1994 | Gene Autry, Melody of the West |
2003 | The Hunted |
2014 | The Winding Stream |
1959 | Shotgun Slade |
1959 | Wagon Train |
1960 | The Rebel |
1961 | The Deputy |
1969–1971 | The Johnny Cash Show |
1970 | NET Playhouse |
1970 | The Partridge Family |
1973–1992 | Sesame Street |
1974–1988 | Hee Haw |
1974 | Columbo |
1974 | Johnny Cash Ridin’ the Rails |
1976 | Johnny Cash and Friends |
1976 | Little House on the Prairie |
1976–1985 | Johnny Cash specials |
1978 | Thaddeus Rose and Eddie |
1978 | Steve Martin: A Wild and Crazy Guy |
1980 | The Muppet Show |
1981 | The Pride of Jesse Hallam |
1982 | Saturday Night Live |
1983 | Murder in Coweta County |
1984 | The Baron and the Kid |
1985 | North and South |
1986 | The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James |
1986 | Stagecoach |
1988 | The Magical World of Disney |
1993–1997 | Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman |
1996 | Renegade |
1997 | The Simpsons |
1998 | All My Friends Are Cowboys |
2014 | Johnny Cash: The Man, His World, His Music |
Net Worth
Year | Net Worth |
2003 | $60 million |
Family and Relationship
Relation | Name/Info |
Father | Ray Cash |
Mother | Carrie Cloveree |
Siblings | 3 |
Spouse | Vivian Liberto (1954-1966), June Carter (1968-2003) |
Children | 5 |
Achievements and Awards
Year | Award | Category |
1968 | Grammy Award | Best Country & Western Solo Vocal Performance |
1969 | Grammy Award | Best Country & Western Solo Vocal Performance |
1970 | Grammy Award | Best Country & Western Solo Vocal Performance |
1970 | Grammy Award | Best Country & Western Song |
1971 | Grammy Award | Best Country & Western Solo Vocal Performance |
1969 | Country Music Association Award | Entertainer of the Year |
1969 | Country Music Association Award | Album of the Year |
1969 | Country Music Association Award | Male Vocalist of the Year |
1969 | Country Music Association Award | Single of the Year |
1971 | Grammy Award | Best Album Notes |
1987 | Grammy Award | Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Recording |
1995 | Grammy Award | Best Country Collaboration with Vocals |
1998 | Grammy Award | Best Country Album |
1999 | Grammy Award | Lifetime Achievement Award |
1980 | Country Music Hall of Fame | Inductee |
1992 | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame | Inductee |
1996 | Kennedy Center Honors | Honoree |
Quick Facts
- Apart from being a singer-songwriter and actor, he also served in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954.
- He adopted the persona of “The Man in Black,” wearing black clothing on stage as a symbol of solidarity with the poor and oppressed.
- He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and iconic figures in American music history.
- His musical influences were rooted in gospel music, which he was exposed to through his family and church.
FAQs
Q: What was Johnny Cash’s real name?
A: His real name was J.R. Cash. He was born J.R. Cash on the 26th of February 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas. He later adopted the stage name Johnny Cash.
Q: What was Johnny Cash’s most famous song?
A: His most famous song is arguably “I Walk the Line.” Released in 1956, it became his signature song and topped the country charts, crossing over to mainstream success.
Q: Why was Johnny Cash called “The Man in Black”?
A: He adopted the persona of “The Man in Black,” wearing black clothing on stage as a symbol of solidarity with the poor and oppressed.
Q: Did Johnny Cash ever perform in prison?
A: Yes, he was known for his legendary live performances at prisons, most notably at Folsom Prison in 1968 and San Quentin in 1969.
Q: What awards did Johnny Cash win?
A: He won numerous awards throughout his career, including 13 Grammy Awards, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame (1980), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1992), and a Kennedy Center Honor (1996).
Q: Who was Johnny Cash married to?
A: He was married twice. His first marriage was to Vivian Liberto from 1954 to 1966. He then married June Carter in 1968, and they remained together until she died in 2003.