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Johnny Cash

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Johnny Cash was an American singer and songwriter, born in Kingsland, Arkansas, in 1932, into a poor family of cotton farmers. From the age of five he worked in the fields, where the family sang as they worked. His childhood revolved around gospel and the radio. His mother and a friend taught him to play guitar, and at twelve he wrote his first songs. As a serviceman in the air force in West Germany he formed his first band.

Music and breakthrough

In 1954 Cash moved to Memphis. With guitarist Luther Perkins and bassist Marshall Grant he went to Sam Phillips's Sun Records. There he wanted to record gospel, but Phillips saw more in his rockabilly. In 1955 Hey, Porter and Cry! Cry! Cry! were released, followed by Folsom Prison Blues and I Walk the Line. In 1958 he moved to Columbia. Later came Ring of Fire, duets with his wife June Carter, such as Jackson, and concerts in prisons, such as at Folsom. At the end of his life he recorded songs by rock artists, including Hurt by Nine Inch Nails.

Influence

Cash had a deep, calm bass-baritone and a backing band with a driving, chugging guitar rhythm, like a train. His songs were about sorrow, guilt and redemption, and he took the side of the poor and of prisoners. Because he always performed in black, he was called the Man in Black. His music joined country, rock 'n' roll, blues, folk and gospel. He died in 2003.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to I Walk the Line (1956). Notice the simple, rolling rhythm of guitar and bass and Cash's low, calm voice, which changes key with each verse.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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See also

Categories: ArtistsCountry