Johnny Cash was an American singer who is considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
He is best known for his work in country music, but he also dabbled in rock and roll, blues, and folk.
In addition to his musical accomplishments, Cash is also known for his troubled personal life, which included struggles with addiction and depression.
Story of Johnny Cash
Childhood and Early Career
Johnny Cash was born J.R. Cash in Kingsland, Arkansas, on February 26, 1932. He was the fourth child of Ray and Carrie Cash. The family were sharecroppers, which meant they rented land from a landlord in exchange for a portion of the crops they harvested.
The Great Depression hit the family hard, and they often had to rely on government assistance to get by. Things got even worse when Johnny’s brother Jack died in a sawmill accident when he was just 11 years old.
The loss had a profound effect on young Johnny, who fell into a deep depression.
Despite the hardships of his childhood,Johnny did find some solace in music. He taught himself to play the guitar at the age of 15 and began writing songs not long after that.
In 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Germany, where he continued to play music in his spare time. After being honorably discharged in 1954, he returned to Arkansas and got married soon after.
Breakthrough Success
In 1955, Cash moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he began working as a door-to-door salesman for Radio Sales Company. It was there that he met producer Sam Phillips, who helped him get started in the music business.
In 1956, Cash recorded his first single,”I Walk the Line,” which became an instant country music classic. The song helped propel him to stardom and he would go on to have many more hits throughout his career.
Personal Struggles
Despite his success in music, Johnny Cash struggled with addiction and depression for much of his life. In 1966, he was injured in a serious car accident that left him addicted to painkillers.
His addiction led to erratic behavior and a string of personal problems, including divorces from his first wife Vivian Liberto and second wife June Carter Cash.
He also battled alcoholism throughout his life but successfully stayed sober for more than 20 years before relapsing shortly before his death.
Death and Legacy
On September 12 2003—just four months after marrying June Carter—Johnny Cash died of complications from diabetes at the age 59.
He left behind a legacy as one of the most influential musicians of all time; Rolling Stone named him one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time while CNN called him “one of music’s greatest fathers.”
His songs have been covered by countless artists over the years and will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.
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Conclusion:
There are few artists who are as iconic as Johnny Cash. A legendary figure in country music, he also left his mark on rock ‘n’ roll, folk, and blues.
In addition to his musical accomplishments, he was also known for his trouble personal life, which included addiction and depression.
Despite all this, he remained an influential force in music until his death in 2003—and beyond that thanks to all the artists who have covered his songs over the years.
That’s all! You can also check out Marvin Gaye – The Soul of Motown and John Legend: American Singer, Songwriter & Record Producer .
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