Johnny Cash

Early Life

Johnny Cash was an American singer-songwriter who played an instrumental role in shaping the genre of Country and Western music. He was born in 1932 in Arkansas and grew up in a poor farming family. Despite enduring significant difficulties in his formative years, he cultivated a profound passion for music. He learned to play the guitar from his mother and friend.

Military Service and Early Career

Cash enlisted in the Air Force in 1950 and served in Germany, where he wrote his first songs. He married Vivian Liberto in 1954 and moved to Memphis, where he worked as an appliance salesman while also pursuing a music career simultaneously.

Breakthrough with Sun Records

After auditioning for Sam Phillips, Cash signed with Sun Records, where he recorded his first single, “Hey Porter,” in 1955. He had his first hit with “I Walk The Line” in 1956, which became his signature song. During his tenure at Sun Records, he recorded other classics such as “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Big River,” and “Ballad of a Teenage Queen.”

Artistic Evolution at Columbia Records

Cash left Sun Records and signed with Columbia Records in 1958, where he was given more artistic freedom to explore a wide range of songs. He wasn’t afraid to experiment with different musical styles such as gospel, folk, blues, and country.

Struggles and Personal Life

Cash’s career was affected by his drug addiction and marital problems in the 1960s. He was detained multiple times due to charges that were related to drug offenses. During this time, he engaged in a romantic relationship with June Carter, who was a popular country singer and a member of the famous Carter family. He divorced Liberto in 1966 and married Carter in 1968.

Revival of Career

Cash’s career revived again in the late 1960s and early 1970s due to his live albums such as “At Folsom Prison” and “At San Quentin.” He also hosted his own television show, The Johnny Cash Show, where he showcased various musical guests. He campaigned strongly for prison reform and recorded some of his biggest hits during this period such as “Ring of Fire,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Man in Black,” and “One Piece at a Time.”

Decline and Comeback

As the musical landscape and people’s tastes changed in the late 1970s and 1980s, Cash’s career declined again. He left Columbia for Mercury Records in 1986 but failed to replicate his previous successes. He rejoined Columbia again in 1990 before he was dropped by the label in 1991.

Later Years and Legacy

Cash made a comeback in the 1990s with his American Recordings series, which was produced by Rick Rubin. His albums during this period received critical acclaim and won several awards. Cash’s health deteriorated in the late 1990s due to diabetes and respiratory problems. However, he still continued to record songs until he passed away in 2003.