Johnny Cash was a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor from the United States. Cash's music, particularly later in his career, was filled with themes of sadness, moral difficulty, and salvation. He was known for his deep, soothing bass-baritone voice, the distinctive sound of his Tennessee Three backing band, which featured train-like chugging guitar rhythms, a rebelliousness balanced by an increasingly somber and humble demeanor, free prison concerts, and a trademark all-black stage wardrobe that earned him the moniker "The Man in Black."
After four years in the Air Force, Cash ascended to stardom in the booming rockabilly culture in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was born to impoverished cotton farmers in Kingsland, Arkansas. "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash," he would say at the start of each show, before performing "Folsom Prison Blues," one of his hallmark tunes. His other iconic songs include "I Walk the Line," "Ring of Fire," "Get Rhythm," and "Man in Black," in addition to "Folsom Prison Blues."
Johnny Cash was born on February 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas, to Carrie Cloveree (née Rivers) and Ray Cash. Roy, Margaret Louise, and Jack were his elder siblings, while Reba, Joanne, and Tommy were his younger siblings (who also became a successful country artist). He was mostly of Scottish and English ancestry. His mother wanted him to be named John and his father wanted him to be named Ray, therefore J. R. was the only name they could agree on. Cash was not allowed to use initials as a first name when he entered in the Air Force, so he altered his name to John R. Cash. When he signed with Sun Records in 1955, he adopted the moniker Johnny Cash.
Cash is one of the most successful musicians of all time, with over 90 million albums sold worldwide. His music spanned genres, including country, rock & roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and gospel. Because of his cross-genre popularity, he was inducted into the Country Music, Rock & Roll, and Gospel Music Halls of Fame. The 2005 film Walk the Line chronicled his musical career.
