Johnny Cash is one of the most influential and beloved musicians of the 20th century. He wrote many iconic songs, acted in movies and wrote his biography and novel. Cash’s unusual approach to music caused him to delve into multiple genres, which landed him multiple inductions in the Country Music, Rock and Roll, and Gospel Music Halls of Fame.
Music Career
At the age of 22, Cash moved to Memphis, where he sold appliances while studying to be a radio announcer. He played guitar with renewed guitarist, such as, Luther Perkins and Marshall Grant at night in music concerts. Cash started his music career by singing Gospel songs. He made his first recordings ‘Hey Porter’ in 1955. He rose to fame with ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ which topped the country music charts. His “I Walk the Line” became number one on the country charts and entered the pop charts top 20. Cash’s live albums ‘Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison’ and ‘Johnny Cash at San Quentin’ reached number one on billboard country album music. In 1980, Cash became the Country Music Hall of Fame’s youngest living inductee. His music has sold more than 90 million copies worldwide.
Acting and TV Career
Johnny Cash also appeared in several movies and TV shows. His first appearance was in the popular TV Civil War drama The Rebel in 1959. Cash made his film debut with low-budget crime drama ‘Five Minutes to Live’. In the 70s and 80s, Cash appeared in many movies and guest star on TV shows like ‘Columbo’ and ‘Little House on the Prairie’.
Personal life
Johnny Cash was married twice, first to Vivian Liberto, the marriage lasted 10 years and ended with a divorce. After 3 years he married June Carter during his music tour and they remained married until June’s death in May 2003. Cash was addicted to drugs and drinking. He used the stimulants to stay awake during tours. Cash was also arrested seven times for various reasons such as a public drunkenness, reckless driving and drug possession.
Johnny Cash’s death
In 1997, Cash was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease. The disease was originally misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease. The diagnosis was later again altered to autonomic neuropathy associated with diabetes. He was hospitalized in 1998 with severe pneumonia, which damaged his lungs. During the last stage of his career, Cash released two albums. He completed 60 songs in the last four months of his life. Cash was died on September 12, 2003, at the age of 71, from diabetes.
Here below are some adorable photos of Johnny Cash when he was young.
