1 post tagged “johnny cash”
While it may seem that I am just jumping on the bandwagon of Johnny Cash lovers, I have always loved him. I grew up watching him on television. My grandfather probably listened to him - he had a thing for Scottish marching music and real country like Trini Lopez.
I first saw Johnny Cash perform with June, his son John (who appeared drunk) and the band (how do you make money with all of those people?) at the Ritz in New York. This was pre-Rick Rubin. the band had assembled onstage including June and were jugging away on a beat. Finally, Mr. Cash, in signature knee-length black coat strode up through the players to the microphone and said the magic words - "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash." The crowd of East Villagers erupted in the most moving cheer for an artist that I have ever heard. You could tell that he was the itinerate journeyman performer. This is what he did.
I saw him perform at least 2 more times during his collaboration with Rick Rubin, both times in NYC. Once was a solo show at Carnegie Hall which wasn't too shabby. He did a duet with Nick Cave on one of the many American Recordings CDs and a touching group hug of a version of "We'll Meet Again". My hats off to Rick Rubin. He did more to uncover the real Johnny Cash than any other producer with any other artist.
Here is a touching video of a final perfomance at the Carter Family Fold:
