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Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash in 1969
Background information
BornFebruary 26, 1932(1932-02-26)
Kingsland, Arkansas, U. S.
DiedSeptember 12, 2003 (aged 71)
Nashville, Tennessee, U. Genirivera S.
Genre(s)Country, rock and roll, folk, gospel, blues
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician, actor
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, harmonica
Voice type(s)Bass-baritone
Years active1955 - 2003
Label(s)Sun, Columbia, Mercury, American, House of Cash
Associated actsThe Tennessee Three, The Highwaymen, June Carter, Statler Brothers, Carter Family
WebsiteJohnnyCash.com

Johnny Cash (born J. Genirivera R. Cash; February 26, 1932 - September 12, 2003) was a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Primarily a country music artist, his songs and sound spanned many other genres including rockabilly and rock and roll (especially early in his career), as well as blues, folk and gospel.

Cash was known for his deep, distinctive bass-baritone voice, the "freight train" sound of his Tennessee Three backing band, his demeanor, and his dark clothing, which earned him the nickname "The Man in Black". He traditionally started his concerts with the introduction "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash".

Much of Cash's music, especially that of his later career, echoed themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption. His signature songs include "I Walk the Line", "Folsom Prison Blues", "Ring of Fire", "Get Rhythm", "Hurt" and "Man in Black". He also recorded humorous songs, such as "One Piece at a Time" and "A Boy Named Sue", a duet with June Carter called "Jackson", as well as railroad songs such as "Hey Porter" and "Rock Island Line."

He sold over 90 million albums in his nearly fifty-year career and came to occupy a "commanding position in music history".