But what this book hints at — yet never comes right out and says — is that while the marriage between artist and producer was a win-win proposition for all involved, there may also have been elements of exploitation at play. Even as his health was failing, Rubin kept Cash on a rigorous recording schedule. There are also stories here for example of how certain family members were simply unable to watch Cash's amazing, yet disturbing video for the Nine Inch Nails song "Hurt," because of the picture it paints of a man so obviously near death.
Still, by all accounts, Cash was at his most happy and content when he was working — especially after the death of his beloved June. So who was exploiting whom?
But it is at this point — in those final months of Cash's life marked first by the passing of his life partner, and then by his own death — that this book becomes simply heartbreaking. After June's passing, and in increasingly failing health himself, Cash's behavior during these final months is described as "childlike." Here, he would beg his daughters to get him out of the hospital, or just to get him a Snickers bar. Moments are also described where he would simply sit alone and sob how much he missed her.
Family members here also recall a trip to June's grave site, where Johnny Cash — blinded by diabetes and barely able to walk — still was able to summon the energy to "see her" and call out to her that "I'm coming, baby, I'm coming."
Cash's final moments, surrounded by his daughters at his bedside make up the final few paragraphs of the book, capping a final chapter that is among the most sadly poignant things that I suspect I will ever read.
Johnny Cash: The Biography tackles these subjects and more in riveting, brutally honest detail that puts the reader there in a way like few such biographies I have ever read. It may not be the definitive story of the legendary Man In Black, but it is the best I have read to date.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
good review.
"Even as his health was failing, Rubin kept Cash on a rigorous recording schedule."
Although I could be wrong, seeing Johnny do interviews late in life, it seemed like he enjoyed the work. Probably kept his mind off June and his health.
2 - Glen Boyd
Thanx Bicho. Though I think I did mention that:
"Still, by all accounts, Cash was at his most happy and content when he was working " especially after the death of his beloved June. So who was exploiting whom?"
-Glen
3 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net , which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States, and to Boston.com. Nice work!
4 - Sharon
It is a good review. I think Johnny Cash was one of the most amazing people to grace the Earth. This book is really a treasure of a biography for any music fan. It gives us great insight into the key events in his life that not only made him who he was, but made his music what it was. I found a deal about this book: http://www.dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=66594