Eric, thanks for putting all of those up. And of course, you and Dean are right about the real cause of death. When I read about June Carter's passing, the second thing I thought was that John would soon be released and join her again.

So while I'm incredibly sad today that he's no longer with us, that emotion seems slightly selfish. They're making beautiful music together again; we just can't hear it.

I'll spend the day listening to the music they left behind.

Thanks BJ, very nice thoughts.

If you can get it, listen to "Spiritual" off Unchained.

It's great Chris, thanks.

One more link is now broken with an older, freer, wilder, harder America, a place of strong emotions and little or no irony, deep loves, abiding hatreds, strong friendships, hard punches, too much liquor, loyalty, sadness, betrayal, forgiveness, train whistles and sunrise on the open road. And the work ethic of a man who never retired but kept on going and pushing himself and his fans, old and new, until his body simply disintegrated. And it's all still there, that lost world, in the music. Lucky for us. But we'll miss the man, and what he might have given us next. God rest his soul.

I finally picked up his latest CD yesterday, I was listening to "Give My Love to Rose" last night, kinda hit the mood I was in on 9/11... and then I'm listening to "Hurt" on my laptop when I read he died.... Not altogether sure if that should be creepy or comforting, but I for one am really going to miss the Man in Black.

Wow Lexington, that was something, and you're sure right about the lack of irony. That's a startling difference from those just ten years younger.

Eric, it's creepy and comforting, like a great JC song.

I've seen Johnny Cash twice in concert, and while it was sometimes hokey, it was honest and a celebration of families, both those we have, and those we make.

The remarkable thing about Johnny Cash is that he was the centre of one of the most remarkable dynasties in American popular music.

He married into the Carter Family, one of the foundatations of bluegrass and country, he had his own career, his children have distinquished themselves as unique voices in country music.

Please see the thoughtful words from Kris Kristofferson above that came in via email

I could go on forever talking about what the music of Johnny Cash meant to me personally but right now I find comfort imagining the scene today at the pearly gates of heaven where St. Peter is being greeted by a baritone voice announcing,

thanks Rick, that's a very fine image!

"It's All About Cash"

Great stuff. I posted an interesting story about my chance meeting with Johnny Cash in a New York Airport almost 10 years ago. You can read it here.

Thanks so much Allan, great story. I left a comment on your site

He Goth?

The Gothiest.

Strange things happens too many times to be just an occasion

Girls, have fun, not boys

Shit happens, is it?