Johnny cash biography summary graphic organizer
Johnny Cash
| American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist Date of Birth: Country: USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Family
- - Composed his first gospel songs in the wake of Jack's death
- Military Service
- Sun Records Years
- Rise to Stardom
- Social Commentary
- Tumbling Years
- - Hosted his own television show, "The Johnny Cash Show" ()
- Health and Passing
- Legacy
- - His music spanned genres including country, rock and roll, and folk
Early Life and Family
Birth and Childhood- Born John R.
Cash on February 26, , in Kingsland, Arkansas
- Part of a large, poor family
- Moved to Dyess, Arkansas, in
- Worked on cotton farms from the age of 5
Tragedy and Inspiration
- Suffered the loss of his older brother, Jack, in a sawmill accident ()
- Composed his first gospel songs in the wake of Jack's death
- Released an album of traditional gospel songs, "My Mother's Hymn Book"
Military Service
- Enlisted in the U.S.Air Force in
- Served in Germany as part of a radio broadcasting unit
- Formed his first musical group, the "Landsberg Barbarians"
Music Career
Early Hits
- Left the Air Force in and settled in Memphis
- Signed with Sun Records after auditioning with gospel songs
- Recorded early rockabilly hits including "Hey Porter" and "Cry!
Cry! Cry!"
Sun Records Years
- Became one of Sun Records' top-selling artists- Recorded classic albums such as "Folsom Prison Blues" and "I Walk the Line"
- Collaborated with rock and roll legends including Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis
Rise to Stardom
- Left Sun Records in- Signed with Columbia Records
- Touched the top of the Billboard charts with the iconic single "Ring of Fire"
Social Commentary
- Released "Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian" (), highlighting the plight of Native Americans
- Recorded "Man in Black" (), explaining his choice to wear all black as a symbol of mourning for the underprivileged
Tumbling Years
- Struggled with drug and alcohol addiction- Divorced his first wife, Vivian Liberto, in
Redemption
- Overcame addiction with the help of his second wife, June Carter
- Recorded the iconic live albums "At Folsom Prison" and "At San Quentin"
- Hosted his own television show, "The Johnny Cash Show" ()
Later Career- Earned commercial success with the album "Unchained" ()
- Released the critically acclaimed "American IV: The Man Comes Around" ()
- Recorded cover versions of popular songs, including Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt"
Health and Passing
- Diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy in the late s- Suffered health complications and entered hospice care in
- Passed away on September 12, , just months after the death of his beloved wife, June Carter
Legacy
- Considered one of the most significant and influential figures in American music
- His music spanned genres including country, rock and roll, and folk
- Known for his distinctive baritone voice and storytelling abilities- Remained a popular and respected artist until his death