The document outlines the life and legacy of Johnny Cash, born John R. Cash, highlighting his upbringing, musical career, struggles with addiction, and significant contributions to country music. It details his rise to fame, pivotal moments such as his performances at prisons and television shows, and the formation of the supergroup The Highwaymen. Cash's life concluded with his death in 2003 after the passing of his wife June Carter, leaving behind a profound musical legacy.

1. The legend of Johnny Cash.
The Man in Black

2. • John R. Cash born February 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Ark;
• The Cash Family lived in a cotton farm. In his first years,
he worked alongside his parents and siblings in the field;
• John had a variety of musical influences ranging from his
mother’s folk songs and hymns to the work songs from
the fields and nearby railroad yards;

3. • Years later, he set off to Detroit and ended up in Pontiac
Inc., in 1950, but that didn’t last long;
• John enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and after basic
training in Texas, he was shipped to Landsberg,
Germany. There, John organized his first band, The
Landsberg Barbarians.
• When in Texas, John met his first wife, Vivian Liberto;
• In 1954, John left the U.S. Air Force and returned to
Texas to marry Vivian. He and his new wife settled in
Memphis where John worked a variety of jobs, while
trying to get into the music business.

4. • John did an audition for Sam Phillips' Sun Records. He
sang gospel music for Phillips, but he changed his mind
about styles.
• Cash was hired by Sun Studios to record with his band,
The Tennessee Three and he recorded his first song
“Hey Porter”;
• His first hit was "Cry, Cry, Cry" and his first No. 1 in
Billboard was "I Walk the Line”. It remained on the record
charts for an incredible 43 weeks;

5. • He realized a longtime dream, he was invited to perform
on the Grand Ole Opry, in 1956;
• In 1957, Cash racked up an impressive string of hits and
was working more than 200 dates a year. But Cash
wanted more artistic freedom and moved to Columbia
Records;
• Many people think Johnny Cash was sent to prison, but
even though he was arrested many times, he was never
in jail;
• Throughout the remainder of the 1950s and into the
1960s, Cash continued to produce remarkable records,
and appeared in the most famous tv programs at time;

6. • He had more the 300 shows a year, but all was not well.
Cash was spinning out of control. His marriage was
collapsing, he was deeply addicted to drugs and that
began to impact his career;
• By 1967, Johnny managed to overcome his addiction
with the help of his singing partner June Carter and her
family. Years later John and June got marriage;
• In 70s, Cash was at the top of his life. He did two very
important albums of live recording made at Folson and
San Quentin prisons;

7. • The Johnny Cash Show was aired on ABC in 69, and
many young singers appeared these, like Neal Young
and Bob Dylan. He also used the show to discuss many
issues like prison reform, the conflict in Vietnam and to
raise the country’s collective consciousness;
• In 1980, at 48, Cash became the youngest living
inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, The Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame bestowed its honor on him in
1995;

8. • In 1985, he joined friends Willie Nelson, Waylon
Jennings and Kris Kristoferson to form The Highwaymen
and released three albums between 85 and 95. The
band achieved the no. 1 of Billboard in their first album
with "The Highwaymen“ song, maybe the most famous
song by Johnny Cash.
• In 2002, Johnny recorded his last album, American IV.
He earned three CMA awards in 2003 and the acclaimed
video for “Hurt” won an MTV award and Grammy;

9. • After losing his wife June Carter unexpectedly in may
2003, the legend passed away September 12, 2003 at
Baptist Hospital in Nashville due to complications from
diabetes.
• Johnny and June had seven children and lived a big love
till the end;

10. "Highwayman"
I was a highwayman. Along the coach roads I did ride
With sword and pistol by my side
Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade
Many a soldier shed his lifeblood on my blade
The bastards hung me in the spring of twenty-five
But I am still alive.
I was a sailor. I was born upon the tide
And with the sea I did abide.
I sailed a schooner round the Horn to Mexico
I went aloft and furled the mainsail in a blow
And when the yards broke off they said that I got killed
But I am living still.
I was a dam builder across the river deep and wide
Where steel and water did collide
A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado
I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below
They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound
But I am still around..I'll always be around..and around and around and
around and around
I fly a starship across the Universe divide
And when I reach the other side
I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain
But I will remain
And I'll be back again, and again and again and again and again..