The great Johnny Cash died early this morning at the age of 71. Music in general, and country music in particular, is the lesser for it.
In March 1998, Cash made headlines when his California-based record company, American Recordings, took out an advertisement in the music trade magazine Billboard. The full-page ad celebrated Cash’s 1998 Grammy award for best country album for Unchained. The ad showed an enraged-looking Cash in his younger years making an obscene gesture to sarcastically illustrate his thanks to country radio stations and “the country music establishment in Nashville,” which he felt had unfairly cast him aside.
I know at least one person who’d agree with that sentiment.
UPDATE: Norbizness has a simple but moving tribute to The Man In Black. Via Rhetoric & Rhythm, who offers his own personal remembrance.
You now know at least three people who would agree with that sentiment: Me and my older brother.
Johnny Cash was, to use the cliche, a true American original. His ability to combine country, gospel, rock, blues and “rockabilly” music into a sound all his own was only matched by perhaps Elvis Presley. To some, he was the man best known as the voice of “Folsom Prison Blues”. To others, he was “The Man in Black”. To later generations, he was the haunting voice of “Hurt”.
No matter what he was to the listener, he was timeless and without equal. Rest In Peace.
No More Minutes to Go
I’ve seen a great many encomiums to Johnny Cash this morning, and I love them all. Still, somehow I think it more fitting not to sanctify him — even though we all know his impact on American music and culture…
No More Minutes to Go
I’ve seen a great many encomiums to Johnny Cash this morning, and I love them all. Still, somehow I think it more fitting not to sanctify him — even though we all know his impact on American music and culture…
No More Minutes to Go
I’ve seen a great many encomiums to Johnny Cash this morning, and I love them all. Still, somehow I think it more fitting not to sanctify him — even though we all know his impact on American music and culture…