Johnny Cash died early this morning in Nashville. As Dean writes, the official cause was complications from diabetes, but we all know he just didn't have the strength without June - some love songs are sung with life.
Although he couldn't have been more contemporary, winning a Grammy (his eleventh) this year for best male country vocal performance on "Give My Love to Rose," he was also old as the hills at 71 - his body had been giving out on him for several years:
- Cash had been released from the hospital Wednesday after a two-week stay for treatment of an unspecified stomach ailment. The illness caused him to miss last month's MTV Music awards, where he had been nominated in seven categories.
Cash had battled a disease of the nervous system, autonomic neuropathy, and pneumonia in recent years. [AP]
Johnny joins June Carter Cash in Jackson
I find myself today blasting "Jackson" in celebration of Johnny and June's reunion.
Posted in Blogcritics on September 13, 2003 04:49 AM
Johnny Cash Mastermix
Here is the track list for the approximately 77 minute Johnny Cash Mastermix I compiled.
Posted in Blogcritics on September 13, 2003 03:04 AM
The Man in Black Finally Finds Peace
What a horrible week for legendary musicians. What a horrible week for anyone who cares about their fellow man. I don't think I have seen a smile on anyone's face in days. On Monday when I found out that Warren...
Posted in Blogcritics on September 12, 2003 09:35 AM
A cold, wild wind has come
CNN.com - The 'Man in Black' Johnny Cash dead at 71 - Sep. 12, 2003 Johnny Cash was probably one of the first musical sounds I ever heard. He was the staple of my dad's repertoire. The lead to "Folsom...
Posted in Blogcritics on September 12, 2003 08:05 AM
Johnny's Blues: A Tribute to Johnny Cash
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about The Man in Black's remarkable career, and the key to his longevity, is his elemental relationship with so many strands of American roots music: country, western, folk, rockabilly, even blues - Johnny Cash is...
Posted in Blogcritics on August 11, 2003 01:24 PM
Article comments
1 - BJ
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.
2 - Eric Olsen
Thanks BJ, very nice thoughts.
3 - Chris
If you can get it, listen to "Spiritual" off Unchained.
4 - Eric Olsen
It's great Chris, thanks.
5 - Lexington Green
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.
6 - Eric
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.
7 - Eric Olsen
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.
8 - Jim Carruthers
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.
9 - Eric Olsen
Please see the thoughtful words from Kris Kristofferson above that came in via email
10 - Rick DeMent
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,
11 - Eric Olsen
thanks Rick, that's a very fine image!
12 - Allan Karl
"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.
13 - Eric Olsen
Thanks so much Allan, great story. I left a comment on your site
14 - Hogman
He Goth?
15 - BRICKLAYER
The Gothiest.
16 - Reorga Nize
Strange things happens too many times to be just an occasion
17 - Lopka Xmass
Girls, have fun, not boys
18 - Pavel Brain
Shit happens, is it?