Never before has the "The Man in Black" been captured at his best than in P.O.V.’s "Johnny Cash: The Man, His World, His Music," a classic 1969 documentary in which legend Johnny Cash is true to form as he regales audiences with his dynamic tunes. The film shows Cash at his peak, the first of many in a looming roller–coaster career. Fresh on the heels of his at Folsom Prison album, Cash displays the dark intensity and raw talent that made him a country music star and cultural icon. Director Robert Elfstrom gets closer than any other filmmaker to Cash, who is seen performing with his new bride, June Carter Cash; in a rare duet with legendary Bob Dylan; and behind the scenes with friends, family and aspiring young musicians. This program paints an unforgettable portrait that endures beyond the singer’s 2003 death. Both fans and those who are just curious to know more about this famous singer will be undeniably captivated by the mysterious aura of an extraordinary musical legend and his legacy.

Biography

Considered to be one of the most influential American musicians of the 20th century, Johnny Cash (born J.R. Cash) was born February 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Ark. By age five, Cash was working in the cotton fields, singing along with his family as they worked. In 1950, Cash enlisted in the United States Air Force. It was during his training that he met his first wife, Vivian Liberto. A month after his discharge, on August 7, 1954, they were married. They would go on to have four daughters together. In 1954, Cash got his first musical start when he moved his family to Memphis, Tenn. He worked up the courage to visit the famous Sun Records studio, hoping to get a recording contract. After a few attempts, Cash eventually won over the studio’s owner, Sam Phillips, with new songs delivered in his early frenetic style. His first recordings at Sun, "Hey Porter" and "Cry Cry Cry," were released in 1955 and met with reasonable success on the country hit parade. Cash’s fourth chart single, "I Walk the Line," proved to be his career song. It shot to Billboard’s number–one position and remained on the record charts for an incredible 43 weeks. In 1958, Cash left Sun Records and signed a contract with Columbia Records, thus causing him to move to Los Angeles. This change marked the beginning of a dark period in Cash’s life.

As his career was taking off in the early 1960s, Cash started drinking heavily and became addicted to amphetamines and barbiturates. Despite his self–destructive behavior, Cash released one of the biggest hits of his career, "Ring of Fire," in 1963. Due to his addictions, he and his wife divorced in 1966. By 1967, though, Cash managed to overcome his addiction with the help of his singing partner June Carter and her family.

June Carter had been part of Cash’s international touring entourage since the early 1960s. In 1968, he and Carter were married. In the late 1950s, Cash performed a series of heartfelt concerts at various prisons around the country, which showcased his compassion for prisoners’ plights. These performances led to a pair of highly successful live albums, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison (1968) and Johnny Cash at San Quentin (1969). In 1969, he began hosting The Johnny Cash Show, a TV variety series that showcased contemporary musicians—ranging from Bob Dylan to Louis Armstrong. Later that same year, he took home two Grammy Awards for the live album Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison (1968). The album was a critical and commercial success and reached Gold record status by December 1969. Johnny and June’s only child together, John Carter Cash was born on March 3, 1970. In 1971, Cash released the single "Man in Black." For some time, he had taken to wearing all black onstage and was, thus, dubbed the famous nickname. In 1975, he published a bestselling autobiography Man in Black. In 1980, Cash was accepted as the youngest member of the Country Music Association Hall of Fame and, in 1992, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has won 10 Grammy Awards, including the 1999 Lifetime Achievement Award. In the late 1990s, Cash revealed that he was suffering from a rare nervous–system disorder called Shy–Drager Syndrome. June Carter Cash died at the age of 73 on May 15, 2003, from complications from heart–valve surgery at Nashville Baptist Hospital in Nashville. Johnny was holding her hand when she died. Just a few months later, Cash died of complications from diabetes on September 12, 2003. Cash’s musical creations, which are combinations of music genres—such as rock, folk and country—are part of one of the most original and appreciated discographies. Johnny Cash’s legacy still continues due to his amazing impact on every part of the music industry.

Brief Discography

Johnny Cash’s discography chronicles the legacy of one of the most prolific recording artists of all time. His lengthy career, spanning 1954 to 2003, saw the release of countless albums and singles on several record labels. Here are some of Cash’s most notable records, as well as some of his interesting sleepers:

Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar (1957) — Cash’s first album, Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar, was released in 1957 under his first label, Sun Records. The album contained his hit singles: "I Walk the Line," "Cry, Cry, Cry" and "So Doggone Lonesome." It was re–issued on July 23, 2002, as an expanded edition under the label Varese Vintage, containing five bonus tracks, three of which are alternate versions of tracks that were already present on the original LP.

The Fabulous Johnny Cash (1959) — The Fabulous Johnny Cash is Cash’s third album. It was released in January of 1959 under the Columbia label after Cash’s departure from Sun Records and was re–issued in 2002 under the same label via Sony Music’s Legacy imprint. The re–issue contains six bonus tracks.

A Believer Sings the Truth (1979) — A Believer Sings the Truth is a gospel double album. Although it was eventually released by Columbia Records, Cash had trouble convincing the label to release the album and initially released it on his own on the Cachet label and as a radio special with added narration. Columbia was doubtful that a double album of gospel songs would be commercially successful.

Johnny Cash Is Coming to Town (1987) — Johnny Cash Is Coming to Town was released in 1987 and Cash’s first album for Mercury Records. It was re–released in 2003, paired with Boom Chicka Boom on a single CD. "Sixteen Tons" was previously a hit for Tennessee Ernie Ford; "The Big Light" was an Elvis Costello song from Costello’s album King of America, which was released in 1986; and "Let Him Roll" is from Guy Clark’s debut album Old No. 1.

American Recordings (1994) — Although he was no longer sought after by major labels, Cash was approached by producer Rick Rubin in 1994 and offered a contract with Rubin’s American Recordings label. Under Rubin’s supervision, he recorded the album American Recordings in his living room, accompanied only by his guitar. The album featured several covers of contemporary artists selected by Rubin and had much critical and commercial success, winning a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album.

Did You Know?

• Johnny Cash was treated for pneumonia in November 1997.
• Johnny Cash was the only person, besides Hank Williams, to have been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Country Music Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• Johnny Cash once had his truck catch on fire, which burned down half of a national forest. When the judge asked him why he did it, he said, "I didn’t do it. My truck did, and it’s dead."
• Johnny Cash recorded entire albums live in Folsom and San Quentin Prisons in front of highly receptive audiences of convicts.
• Johnny Cash chose songs for a running series of compilations of songs that comprised the main themes of his work. The first three compilations were titled "Love," mostly songs that he wrote for his wife—June Carter Cash—"God," a series of gospels, and "Murder," perhaps his favorite subject—but one whose title he encouraged people "not to go out and do." Released slightly later was "Life," mostly songs about hard work and economic struggles.