THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WILL BE AN ONGOING FEATURE. THERE WILL BE CORRECTIONS, AND PLEASE EMAIL ME WTH ANY, AS WELL AS OTHER FACTS AND SUGGESTIONS.
ALBUMS ARE IN BOLD UNDERNEATH THEIR YEAR OF RELEASE. THE SINGLES ARE AT THE END.
I HAVE NOT VERIFIED EVERY PIECE OF INFORMATION SO LET ME KNOW IF YOU SEE AN ERROR.
EMAIL strictlycash@eircom.net
1954
Arrives home from the US Air Force in Landsberg, Germany and marries Vivien Liberto, Aug 7th. They had met 3 weeks prior to his shipping overseas, corresponded almost daily and got engaged while he was away. Vivien wwas to be the mother of his daughters, Rosanne, Kathy, Tara and Cindy.
Introduced to Marshall Grant and Luther perkins by his older brother, Roy. Auditioned for Sam Phillips at Sun. Rosanne born May 24th.
March 1955:
Records Hey Porter, and later, Cry, Cry, Cry with sam Phillips of Sun Studios in Memphis.
Johnny Cash had been christened JR, but the US Air Force recruiting office would not accept initials on their application form, so they told him to put down John. When, with bass player Marshall Grant and guitarist Luther Perkins he went to Sun, as the Tennessee Three, Phillips called them John Cash and the Tennessee Two, as he fronted the band, and soon changed that to Johnny, as he felt it appealed more to a younger audience.
December, 1955:
"Folsom Prison Blues" (b/w "So Doggone Lonesome" by Johnny Cash & the Tennessee Two is released, coinciding with their "Louisiana Hayride" debut. It reaches #4 in the C&W charts, Johnny gets a second royalty check, this time for $6,000, his first one having being worth just over 2 dollars.
April 1956:
"I Walk the Line" b/w "Get Rhythm" by Johnny Cash & the Tennessee Two is released, reportedly a 2 million seller, hits #1 in the C&W charts and also gets into the top 20 pop charts.
Kathy Cash born in April.
The song had the working title, Because You’re Mine, but Carl Perkins on hearing it suggested it be called I Walk The Line.
Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar
early/mid-1958:
Two more #1 C&W/top 20 pop Sun hit singles (with new producer Jack Clement) succeed in catching youth market: "Ballad of a Teenage Queen" (#1 C&W for 10 weeks) b/w "Big River"; "Guess Things Happen That Way" b/w "Come In Stranger."
“Cowboy” Jack Clement had written both A sides. He also wrote the 2 ditties on the 1968 At Folsom album, Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart, and Egg Sucking Dog.
Announces departure from Sun. Cindy cash born July. Moved to California.
Sings the Songs That Made Him Famous
January, 1959:
"Don't Take Your Guns To Town" hits #1 C&W/top 40 pop, ignites string of western gunslinger tunes and quasi-historical sagas on Columbia by Johnny Horton ("Battle of New Orleans"), Marty Robbins ("El Paso"), Stonewall Jackson ("Waterloo"), and others.
The Fabulous Johnny Cash
Greatest!
Songs of our Soil
Sings hank Williams
Hymns by Johnny Cash
October, 1959:
"The Rebel" TV series premiere starring Nick Adams, features "The Ballad of Johnny Yuma" theme sung by Johnny Cash (not issued as single until June, 1961); again ignites a new genre (Civil War songs), as Horton hits Top 10 C&W that month with "Johnny Reb" which was also recorded by his friend and fishing buddy, Johnny Cash.
1959-1960:
W.S. Holland joins the group, initially for a short tour on the East Coast, where Johnny wanted a fuller sound in the bigger venues. He was to stay right up to the end. WS, or Fluke as he was known, had been Carl Perkins drummer, and had played on Carl’s hit, Blue Suede Shoes.
First show in San Quentin is around this time, some accounts saying 1958, others 1959. Since he started in the business, Cash had been performing inside various prisons. The first San Quentin show finds 22-year old inmate Merle Haggard sitting in first row, convicted of aggravated robbery, after a tough and problematic upbringing.
1960
Films 5 Minutes To Live. Friend Johnny Horton dies.
Ride This train
Now there was a Song
1961
Saul Holiff takes over as mamager. Tara Cash born Aug 24th. Arrested for drunkeness in Nashville. June Carter appears on show for first time, in Dallas.
Now Here’s Johnny Cash
The Sound of Johnny Cash
1962
All Aboard the Blue Train
Hymns from the Heart
March 25, 1963:
"Ring Of Fire" (written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore) recorded in Nashville with mariachi-style trumpets, the idea for which had come to Johnny in a dream, and Carter Family on backing vocals; hits #1 C&W (for 7 weeks), It was Cash's first #1 in four years.
June’s sister Anita recorded this in 1962. First wife Vivien Liberto questioned June’s part in writing this, saying that Johnny had admitted to her that he had written it, but had given June the credit to earn the much-needed royalties..
Quick sound-alike follow-up, "The Matador" hits #2 (for 2 weeks).
The Christmas Spirit
Blood, Sweat, and Tears
July, 1964:
I Walk the Line, which includes 6 newly recorded Sun hits, enters C&W (#1 for 4 weeks) and pop album charts; his second RIAA gold album. Songs written with Native American laureate Peter LaFarge, including "The Ballad Of Ira Hayes," intensifies Cash connection to progressive faction of folk movement. Despite the Nashville establishment radio refusing to play The Ballad of Ira Hayes, it reached #3 in the charts.
The Original Sun Sound of Johnny Cash
I Walk the Line
Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian
1965:
"Orange Blossom Special" (with Charlie McCoy, harmonica, and Boots Randolph, sax) enters C&W chart, hits #3, title tune single from LP that enters chart one month later, also hits #3, landmark fusion of C&W and folk, with "It Ain't Me Babe" and two more Dylan tunes.
Oct 4th, arrested in El Paso, Texas bringing stimulants and tranquilizers from Mexico. Court case in Dec.
Peter Le Farge (Ira Hayes) found dead.
Orange Blossom Special
Sings the Ballads of the True West
Everybody Loves a Nut
Happiness Is You
1966
June divorces Rip Nix. Vivien starts divorce proceedings. Bought property at Hendersonville. Arrested in Starkville, Mississippi.
1967
Recorded Jackson. Bought house on Old Hickory Lake. Jailed overnight in Georgia.
January 13, 1968:
Widely acclaimed concert inside California’s Folsom Prison is recorded by Columbia.
Marries June Carter in kentucky March 1st, after proposing to her onstage in London, Ontario. Best man was Merle Kilgore, co-writer of Ring of Fire.
In August, Luther Perkins dies in house fire, seemingly having fallen asleep on his sofa, while smoking. Earlier that afternoon, he had phoned Johnny asking him to come over and help with a TV aerial. The latter had refused, and there is a question over whether he felt guilt over the death of his friend.
At Folsom Prison
December 7, 1968:
"Daddy Sang Bass," written by Carl Perkins, with Perkins on guitar, Statler Brothers and Carter Family on background vocals, hits #1 and stays at top for 6 weeks.
The Holy Land
From Sea to Shining Sea
February 24, 1969:
Another prison (San Quentin California) concert is recorded by Columbia, and also by Granada Television(England)
Bob Wooten has by now established himself as Luther’s replacement, although Carl Perkins is retained for his outstanding guitar skills, and also his friendship with Johnny. The question is often asked, but Carl and Luther were not related.
At San Quentin
July, 1969:
"A Boy Named Sue" (written by Shel Silverstein) enters C&W chart, hits #1 (for 5 weeks), certified RIAA gold, chosen CMA Single Of the Year, from the San Quentin album.
The album, which also included Bob Dylan's "Wanted Man," enters C&W and pop charts, hits #1 C&W (for 20 weeks) and spends 55 weeks in the charts; and #1 pop (for 4 weeks) and spends 70 weeks there; certified RIAA double-platinum, chosen CMA Album Of the Year and Cash named CMA Entertainer Of the Year.
The amazing thing about A Boy Named Sue being such a success is that Shel had given it to Johnny the day before, in the form of a poem. The band had never heard it, and just ad libbed as Johnny went through it, making up the melody as he went along.
March 11, 1970:
"A Boy Named Sue" wins Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, (Shel Silverstein wins Best Country Song) and Johnny Cash wins Best Albums Notes (for Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline) at 12th annual awards.
The Johnny Cash Show.
September 5, 1970:
"Sunday Morning Coming Down" (written by Kris Kristofferson), which describes an addict's turmoil, enters C&W chart, hits #1 (for 2 weeks), wins CMA Song of the Year for Kris. The actual recording was taken from the TV series.
John Carter Cash born March 3rd.
Plays White House.
Hello, I’m Johnny Cash.
March 27, 1971:
"Man In Black," with one verse referring to Vietnam, is first single produced by Johnny Cash (after two years with Johnston) enters C&W chart, hits #3.
Man in Black
1972
Nashville premiere of Gospel Road.
Lou Robin takes over as manager.
A Thing called Love
America: A 200 Year Salute in Story and Song.
1973
The Gospel Road
PA Osteraker
1974
Guest appearance on episode of Columbo (Swan Song) as wife murderer but good guy gospel singer, Tommy Brown.
Ragged Old Flag
Junkie and the Juicehead Minus Me
1975
His friend, and June's father, Ezra Carter dies. First autobiography Man in Black published.
The Johnny Cash Children’s Album
John R Cash
Look at the Beans
Strawberry Cake
Precious Memories
June 12, 1976:
One Piece At a Time by 'Johnny Cash & the Tennessee Three' enters C&W chart, hits #2 (for 2 weeks), his biggest album in four years, featuring title tune 'novelty' single which hits #1(for 2 weeks), and follow-up "Sold Out of Flagpoles" (#29).
One Piece at a Time
1977
Earl Poole Ball joins on Keyboards.
Awarded Theology degree.
Crusades with Billy Graham in Indiana.
Ordained as Christian minister.
JC Christmas Special stars Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins.
The Last Gunfighter Ballad
The Rambler
1978
Five nights with Billy Graham in Las Vegas.
Unissued material released by Bear Records.
Plays Prague with Rosanne.
Mother Maybelle dies, Oct 23.
Took entire staff to Israel.
I would Like to See You Again
Gone Girl
1979
British tour in March.
Johnny Cash museum opened.
Renews marriage vows in Jamaica.
Denies drug and marriage problems.
Records in London with Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello.
A Believer sings the Truth
1980
Marshall Grant is fired.
Concerts in Los Angeles cancelled due to illness.
Inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame.
Silver
Rockabilly Blues
Sings with the BC Goodpasture Christian School
Classic Christmas
1981
Stuttgart concert with Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins is recorded.
Tours Australia.
Marshall Grant sues for $2.6 million.
Ribs broken by ostrich attack at his private zoo.
Family held at gunpoint in raid on Cinnamon Hill.
The Baron
1982
Part of Gallatin Road is renamed Johnny Cash parkway.
In April, hosts Saturday Night Live.
Starts filming Murder in Coweta County.
The Adventures of Johnny Cash
Koncert V Prague (in Prague-Live)
1983
In hospital with compressed vertebrae.
bad cut to hand when in England.
Back in hospital in Nashville with bleeding duodenal ulcer.
Taken to Betty Ford Center. Not a good year overall!
I Believe
1984
Performs at Carling Country Music Festival in Cork (that's Ireland, by the way).
Films Christmas Special in Montreux, Switzerland with what would become the Highwaymen. When asked why Montreux, Waylon famously replied "Cos that's where baby Jesus was born".
Chicken in Black, no more about this.
1985
Surgery on abdominal scar tissue.
Australia tour.
Filmed Last Days of Frank and Jesse james.
December 23rd Ray Cash RIP.
Rainbow, last album for Columbia.
1986
Films Stagecoach.
Published Man in White.
Signs with Polygram and records on their label, Mercury.
1987
Developed irregular heartbeat at concert in Iowa.
Performs in Poland.
1988
Rosanne has hit with Tennessee Flat Top Box. She apparently did not know who had written the song until afterwards, thinking the song was public domain.
March, Johnny Cash exhibit opened at Country Music Hall of Fame.
European tour April/May.
December, bypass surgery.
Classic Cash Hall of Fame Series
Water From The Wells of Home
1989
In Ireland meets long-time fan who later forms tribute band Strictly Cash.
Chest problems in Paris.
Shows cancelled due to ill health.
Enters drug treatment center in December.
1990
Has tooth removed which later causes cyst problem.
Highwaymen tour in March, and again in Sept/Oct.
Boom Chicka Boom
1991
March 11 Carrie Cash RIP.
Highwaymen tour Australia and New Zealand.
Johnny Cash Country Christmas
The Mystery of Life
1992
Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of fame.
Highwaymen tour Scandanavia and Europe.
Return to the Promised Land.
1993
Records The Wanderer in Dublin for U2's album Zooropa.
Feb 27 meets Rick Rubin and does first Def American recordings in May.
July 8th Ray Cash RIP
December plays Johnny Depp's Viper Room.
1994
Back in Australia and New Zealand, with Kris Kristofferson.
Makes video for Delia's Gone, with Kate Moss, then girlfriend of Johnny Depp.
American Recordings released in April.
Glastonbury.
American Recordings
1995
American Recordings wins Grammy for best Folk(!) album.
Cancels european tour for health reasons.
Highwayman tour.
European tour.
Highwaymen tour New Zealand and Austraila again(!) and also far East.
1996
Unchained
1997
Announces retirement plans to band.
Final concert in Flint, Michican.
Enters hospital for tests, October.
1998
Carl Perkins RIP
Unchained wins grammy for best country album.
August, hospital for 4 days.
1999
Lifetime Achievement Award at Grammies.
All-Star JC tribute in New York.
Anita Carter, June's sister and ex-wife of Bob Wooten, RIP.
October, hospital with pneumonia.
2000
Love, God, Murder.
American 111 Solitary Man
2001
Hospital again with pneumonia.
2002
Waylon RIP.
Hurt video shot in Hendersonville.
American 1V The Man Comes Around
2003
Jan/March hospital 3 times.
Louise Cash RIP
JUNE CARTER RIP.
Final song Engine 143 recorded at Cash Cabin Studio.
September, hopsital.
September 11 returns home.
September 12th J R Cash, the Man in Black, RIP. We still miss someone.
Sept 15th Funeral at First Baptist Church, Hendersonville.
November 10th. Tribute concert at Ryman.
Unearthed 5 CD set released.
May 15, 2003:
June Carter Cash RIP.
September 12, 2003:
Johnny Cash RIP.
2004
My Mothers Hymn Book
2005
Live From Austin, Texas. Recorded January ’87
2006
America V: A Hundred Highways
Personal File
2007
The Great Lost Performance recorded at Asbury Park, New Jersey, July 1990
2008
Johnny Cash’s America
2010
American V1: Ain’t No Grave
2011
Bootleg 3.
THE SINGLES
1955 Hey Porter/Cry! Cry! Cry!
1956 Folsom Prison Blues/So Doggone Lonesome
1956 I Walk the Line/Get Rhythm
1956 There You Go/Train of Love
1957 Next in Line/Don't make Me Go
1957 Home of the Blues/Give My Love to Rose
1958 Ballad of a Teenage Queen/Big River
1958 Guess Things Happen That Way/Come in Stranger
1958 The Ways of a Woman in Love/Nearest Thing to Heaven
1958 All Over Again/What Do I Care
1959 Don't Take Your Guns to Town/I Still Miss Someone
It's Just About Time
Luther Played the Boogie
Thanks a Lot
1959 Frankie's Man, Johnny/You Dreamer You
Katy Too
1959 I Got Stripes/Five Feet High and Rising
Goodbye Little Darlin
1959 Little Drummer Boy
Straight A's in Love
I Love You Because
1960 Seasons of My Heart/Smiling Bill McCall
The Story of a Broken Heart
Down the Street to 301
1960 Second Honeymoon
Mean Eyed Cat
Oh Lonesome Me
1961 The Rebel - Johnny Yuma/40 Shades of Green
1961 Tennessee Flat Top Box
1962 The Big Battle
1962 In the Jailhouse Now
1962 Bonanza
1963 Busted (w/ The Carter Family)
1963 Ring of Fire
1963 The Matador
1964 Understand Your Man/Dark as a Dungeon
1964 The Ballad of Ira Hayes/Bad News
1964 It Ain't Me, Babe (w/ June Carter Cash)
1965 Orange Blossom Special
1965 The Streets of Laredo/Mister Garfield
1965 The Sons of Katie Elder
1965 Pickin’ Time/Happy to Be with You
1966 The One on the Right Is on the Left
1966 Everybody Loves a Nut
1966 Boa Constrictor
1967 You Beat All I Ever Saw
1967 Jackson (w/ June Carter Cash)
1967 Long-Legged Guitar Pickin' Man (w/ June Carter Cash)
1967 Red Velvet/The Wind Changes
1968 Rosanna's Going Wild
1968 Folsom Prison Blues(re-release)
1968 Daddy Sang Bass
1969 A Boy Named Sue/San Quentin
Get Rhythm (re-release)
1969 Blistered/See Ruby Fall
1970 If I Were a Carpenter (w/ June Carter Cash)
Rock Island Line (Sun Re-release)
1970 What Is Truth
1970 Sunday Morning Coming Down
1970 Flesh and Blood
Big River
1971 Man in Black
1971 Singin' in Vietnam Talkin' Blues
1971 No Need to Worry (w/ June Carter Cash)
1971 Papa Was a Good Man
1972 A Thing Called Love
1972 Kate
1972 If I Had a Hammer
1972 Oney
1973 Any Old Wind That Blows
1973 The Loving Gift (w/ June Carter Cash)
1973 Children
1973 Allegheny(w/ June Carter Cash)
1974 Orleans Parish Prison
1974 Ragged Old Flag
1974 The Junkie and the Juicehead, Minus Me
1974 Father and Daughter (Father and Son) (w/ Rosey Nix)
1975 Lady Came from Baltimore
1975 My Old Kentucky Home
(Turpentine and Dandelion Wine)
1975 Look at Them Beans
1976 Texas - 1947
1976 Strawberry Cake (Live)
1976 One Piece at a Time
1976 Sold Out of Flagpoles
1976 It's All Over
1976 Far Side banks of Jordan/Old Time Feeling"(w/ June Carter Cash)
1977 The Last Gunfighter Ballad
1977 Lady
1977 After the Ball
1978 I Would Like to See You Again
1978 There Ain't No Good Chain Gang/ I Wish I Was Crazy Again
1978 Gone Girl
1978 It'll Be Her
1978 I Will Rock and Roll with You
1979 (Ghost) Riders in the Sky
1979 I'll Say It's True
Wings in the Morning
1980 Bull Rider
1980 Song of the Patriot
1980 Cold Lonesome Morning
1981 Last Time
1981 Without Love
1981 The Baron
1982 Mobile Boy
1982 The Reverend Mr. Black/Chattanooga City Limit Sign
The General Lee
1982 Georgia on a Fast Train
1983 Fair Weather Friends
1983 We Must Believe in Magic
1983 I'm Ragged But I'm Right
1984 Johnny 99
1984 That's the Truth
1984 Chicken in Black
They Killed Him
1985 I'm Leaving Now
1986 Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (w/ Waylon Jennings)
1986 The Ballad of Forty Dollars(w/ Waylon Jennings)
1987 The Night Hank Williams Came to Town
1988 Sixteen Tons
1988 Ballad of a Teenage Queen
(w/ Rosanne Cash and The Everly Brothers)/ Get Rhythm (re-release)
Let Him Roll
W. Lee O'Daniel (And the Light Crust Doughboys)
1989 That Old Wheel (w/ Hank Williams Jr.)
Farmer's Almanac
Cat's in the Cradle
Goin' by the Book
1991 The Mystery of Life
Delia's Gone
Rusty Cage
I've Been Everywhere
The Man Comes Around
Hurt"
God's Gonna Cut You Down
Help Me
Ain't No Grave
Redemption Day
ALBUMS ARE IN BOLD UNDERNEATH THEIR YEAR OF RELEASE. THE SINGLES ARE AT THE END.
I HAVE NOT VERIFIED EVERY PIECE OF INFORMATION SO LET ME KNOW IF YOU SEE AN ERROR.
EMAIL strictlycash@eircom.net
1954
Arrives home from the US Air Force in Landsberg, Germany and marries Vivien Liberto, Aug 7th. They had met 3 weeks prior to his shipping overseas, corresponded almost daily and got engaged while he was away. Vivien wwas to be the mother of his daughters, Rosanne, Kathy, Tara and Cindy.
Introduced to Marshall Grant and Luther perkins by his older brother, Roy. Auditioned for Sam Phillips at Sun. Rosanne born May 24th.
March 1955:
Records Hey Porter, and later, Cry, Cry, Cry with sam Phillips of Sun Studios in Memphis.
Johnny Cash had been christened JR, but the US Air Force recruiting office would not accept initials on their application form, so they told him to put down John. When, with bass player Marshall Grant and guitarist Luther Perkins he went to Sun, as the Tennessee Three, Phillips called them John Cash and the Tennessee Two, as he fronted the band, and soon changed that to Johnny, as he felt it appealed more to a younger audience.
December, 1955:
"Folsom Prison Blues" (b/w "So Doggone Lonesome" by Johnny Cash & the Tennessee Two is released, coinciding with their "Louisiana Hayride" debut. It reaches #4 in the C&W charts, Johnny gets a second royalty check, this time for $6,000, his first one having being worth just over 2 dollars.
April 1956:
"I Walk the Line" b/w "Get Rhythm" by Johnny Cash & the Tennessee Two is released, reportedly a 2 million seller, hits #1 in the C&W charts and also gets into the top 20 pop charts.
Kathy Cash born in April.
The song had the working title, Because You’re Mine, but Carl Perkins on hearing it suggested it be called I Walk The Line.
Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar
early/mid-1958:
Two more #1 C&W/top 20 pop Sun hit singles (with new producer Jack Clement) succeed in catching youth market: "Ballad of a Teenage Queen" (#1 C&W for 10 weeks) b/w "Big River"; "Guess Things Happen That Way" b/w "Come In Stranger."
“Cowboy” Jack Clement had written both A sides. He also wrote the 2 ditties on the 1968 At Folsom album, Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart, and Egg Sucking Dog.
Announces departure from Sun. Cindy cash born July. Moved to California.
Sings the Songs That Made Him Famous
January, 1959:
"Don't Take Your Guns To Town" hits #1 C&W/top 40 pop, ignites string of western gunslinger tunes and quasi-historical sagas on Columbia by Johnny Horton ("Battle of New Orleans"), Marty Robbins ("El Paso"), Stonewall Jackson ("Waterloo"), and others.
The Fabulous Johnny Cash
Greatest!
Songs of our Soil
Sings hank Williams
Hymns by Johnny Cash
October, 1959:
"The Rebel" TV series premiere starring Nick Adams, features "The Ballad of Johnny Yuma" theme sung by Johnny Cash (not issued as single until June, 1961); again ignites a new genre (Civil War songs), as Horton hits Top 10 C&W that month with "Johnny Reb" which was also recorded by his friend and fishing buddy, Johnny Cash.
1959-1960:
W.S. Holland joins the group, initially for a short tour on the East Coast, where Johnny wanted a fuller sound in the bigger venues. He was to stay right up to the end. WS, or Fluke as he was known, had been Carl Perkins drummer, and had played on Carl’s hit, Blue Suede Shoes.
First show in San Quentin is around this time, some accounts saying 1958, others 1959. Since he started in the business, Cash had been performing inside various prisons. The first San Quentin show finds 22-year old inmate Merle Haggard sitting in first row, convicted of aggravated robbery, after a tough and problematic upbringing.
1960
Films 5 Minutes To Live. Friend Johnny Horton dies.
Ride This train
Now there was a Song
1961
Saul Holiff takes over as mamager. Tara Cash born Aug 24th. Arrested for drunkeness in Nashville. June Carter appears on show for first time, in Dallas.
Now Here’s Johnny Cash
The Sound of Johnny Cash
1962
All Aboard the Blue Train
Hymns from the Heart
March 25, 1963:
"Ring Of Fire" (written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore) recorded in Nashville with mariachi-style trumpets, the idea for which had come to Johnny in a dream, and Carter Family on backing vocals; hits #1 C&W (for 7 weeks), It was Cash's first #1 in four years.
June’s sister Anita recorded this in 1962. First wife Vivien Liberto questioned June’s part in writing this, saying that Johnny had admitted to her that he had written it, but had given June the credit to earn the much-needed royalties..
Quick sound-alike follow-up, "The Matador" hits #2 (for 2 weeks).
The Christmas Spirit
Blood, Sweat, and Tears
July, 1964:
I Walk the Line, which includes 6 newly recorded Sun hits, enters C&W (#1 for 4 weeks) and pop album charts; his second RIAA gold album. Songs written with Native American laureate Peter LaFarge, including "The Ballad Of Ira Hayes," intensifies Cash connection to progressive faction of folk movement. Despite the Nashville establishment radio refusing to play The Ballad of Ira Hayes, it reached #3 in the charts.
The Original Sun Sound of Johnny Cash
I Walk the Line
Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian
1965:
"Orange Blossom Special" (with Charlie McCoy, harmonica, and Boots Randolph, sax) enters C&W chart, hits #3, title tune single from LP that enters chart one month later, also hits #3, landmark fusion of C&W and folk, with "It Ain't Me Babe" and two more Dylan tunes.
Oct 4th, arrested in El Paso, Texas bringing stimulants and tranquilizers from Mexico. Court case in Dec.
Peter Le Farge (Ira Hayes) found dead.
Orange Blossom Special
Sings the Ballads of the True West
Everybody Loves a Nut
Happiness Is You
1966
June divorces Rip Nix. Vivien starts divorce proceedings. Bought property at Hendersonville. Arrested in Starkville, Mississippi.
1967
Recorded Jackson. Bought house on Old Hickory Lake. Jailed overnight in Georgia.
January 13, 1968:
Widely acclaimed concert inside California’s Folsom Prison is recorded by Columbia.
Marries June Carter in kentucky March 1st, after proposing to her onstage in London, Ontario. Best man was Merle Kilgore, co-writer of Ring of Fire.
In August, Luther Perkins dies in house fire, seemingly having fallen asleep on his sofa, while smoking. Earlier that afternoon, he had phoned Johnny asking him to come over and help with a TV aerial. The latter had refused, and there is a question over whether he felt guilt over the death of his friend.
At Folsom Prison
December 7, 1968:
"Daddy Sang Bass," written by Carl Perkins, with Perkins on guitar, Statler Brothers and Carter Family on background vocals, hits #1 and stays at top for 6 weeks.
The Holy Land
From Sea to Shining Sea
February 24, 1969:
Another prison (San Quentin California) concert is recorded by Columbia, and also by Granada Television(England)
Bob Wooten has by now established himself as Luther’s replacement, although Carl Perkins is retained for his outstanding guitar skills, and also his friendship with Johnny. The question is often asked, but Carl and Luther were not related.
At San Quentin
July, 1969:
"A Boy Named Sue" (written by Shel Silverstein) enters C&W chart, hits #1 (for 5 weeks), certified RIAA gold, chosen CMA Single Of the Year, from the San Quentin album.
The album, which also included Bob Dylan's "Wanted Man," enters C&W and pop charts, hits #1 C&W (for 20 weeks) and spends 55 weeks in the charts; and #1 pop (for 4 weeks) and spends 70 weeks there; certified RIAA double-platinum, chosen CMA Album Of the Year and Cash named CMA Entertainer Of the Year.
The amazing thing about A Boy Named Sue being such a success is that Shel had given it to Johnny the day before, in the form of a poem. The band had never heard it, and just ad libbed as Johnny went through it, making up the melody as he went along.
March 11, 1970:
"A Boy Named Sue" wins Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, (Shel Silverstein wins Best Country Song) and Johnny Cash wins Best Albums Notes (for Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline) at 12th annual awards.
The Johnny Cash Show.
September 5, 1970:
"Sunday Morning Coming Down" (written by Kris Kristofferson), which describes an addict's turmoil, enters C&W chart, hits #1 (for 2 weeks), wins CMA Song of the Year for Kris. The actual recording was taken from the TV series.
John Carter Cash born March 3rd.
Plays White House.
Hello, I’m Johnny Cash.
March 27, 1971:
"Man In Black," with one verse referring to Vietnam, is first single produced by Johnny Cash (after two years with Johnston) enters C&W chart, hits #3.
Man in Black
1972
Nashville premiere of Gospel Road.
Lou Robin takes over as manager.
A Thing called Love
America: A 200 Year Salute in Story and Song.
1973
The Gospel Road
PA Osteraker
1974
Guest appearance on episode of Columbo (Swan Song) as wife murderer but good guy gospel singer, Tommy Brown.
Ragged Old Flag
Junkie and the Juicehead Minus Me
1975
His friend, and June's father, Ezra Carter dies. First autobiography Man in Black published.
The Johnny Cash Children’s Album
John R Cash
Look at the Beans
Strawberry Cake
Precious Memories
June 12, 1976:
One Piece At a Time by 'Johnny Cash & the Tennessee Three' enters C&W chart, hits #2 (for 2 weeks), his biggest album in four years, featuring title tune 'novelty' single which hits #1(for 2 weeks), and follow-up "Sold Out of Flagpoles" (#29).
One Piece at a Time
1977
Earl Poole Ball joins on Keyboards.
Awarded Theology degree.
Crusades with Billy Graham in Indiana.
Ordained as Christian minister.
JC Christmas Special stars Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins.
The Last Gunfighter Ballad
The Rambler
1978
Five nights with Billy Graham in Las Vegas.
Unissued material released by Bear Records.
Plays Prague with Rosanne.
Mother Maybelle dies, Oct 23.
Took entire staff to Israel.
I would Like to See You Again
Gone Girl
1979
British tour in March.
Johnny Cash museum opened.
Renews marriage vows in Jamaica.
Denies drug and marriage problems.
Records in London with Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello.
A Believer sings the Truth
1980
Marshall Grant is fired.
Concerts in Los Angeles cancelled due to illness.
Inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame.
Silver
Rockabilly Blues
Sings with the BC Goodpasture Christian School
Classic Christmas
1981
Stuttgart concert with Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins is recorded.
Tours Australia.
Marshall Grant sues for $2.6 million.
Ribs broken by ostrich attack at his private zoo.
Family held at gunpoint in raid on Cinnamon Hill.
The Baron
1982
Part of Gallatin Road is renamed Johnny Cash parkway.
In April, hosts Saturday Night Live.
Starts filming Murder in Coweta County.
The Adventures of Johnny Cash
Koncert V Prague (in Prague-Live)
1983
In hospital with compressed vertebrae.
bad cut to hand when in England.
Back in hospital in Nashville with bleeding duodenal ulcer.
Taken to Betty Ford Center. Not a good year overall!
I Believe
1984
Performs at Carling Country Music Festival in Cork (that's Ireland, by the way).
Films Christmas Special in Montreux, Switzerland with what would become the Highwaymen. When asked why Montreux, Waylon famously replied "Cos that's where baby Jesus was born".
Chicken in Black, no more about this.
1985
Surgery on abdominal scar tissue.
Australia tour.
Filmed Last Days of Frank and Jesse james.
December 23rd Ray Cash RIP.
Rainbow, last album for Columbia.
1986
Films Stagecoach.
Published Man in White.
Signs with Polygram and records on their label, Mercury.
1987
Developed irregular heartbeat at concert in Iowa.
Performs in Poland.
1988
Rosanne has hit with Tennessee Flat Top Box. She apparently did not know who had written the song until afterwards, thinking the song was public domain.
March, Johnny Cash exhibit opened at Country Music Hall of Fame.
European tour April/May.
December, bypass surgery.
Classic Cash Hall of Fame Series
Water From The Wells of Home
1989
In Ireland meets long-time fan who later forms tribute band Strictly Cash.
Chest problems in Paris.
Shows cancelled due to ill health.
Enters drug treatment center in December.
1990
Has tooth removed which later causes cyst problem.
Highwaymen tour in March, and again in Sept/Oct.
Boom Chicka Boom
1991
March 11 Carrie Cash RIP.
Highwaymen tour Australia and New Zealand.
Johnny Cash Country Christmas
The Mystery of Life
1992
Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of fame.
Highwaymen tour Scandanavia and Europe.
Return to the Promised Land.
1993
Records The Wanderer in Dublin for U2's album Zooropa.
Feb 27 meets Rick Rubin and does first Def American recordings in May.
July 8th Ray Cash RIP
December plays Johnny Depp's Viper Room.
1994
Back in Australia and New Zealand, with Kris Kristofferson.
Makes video for Delia's Gone, with Kate Moss, then girlfriend of Johnny Depp.
American Recordings released in April.
Glastonbury.
American Recordings
1995
American Recordings wins Grammy for best Folk(!) album.
Cancels european tour for health reasons.
Highwayman tour.
European tour.
Highwaymen tour New Zealand and Austraila again(!) and also far East.
1996
Unchained
1997
Announces retirement plans to band.
Final concert in Flint, Michican.
Enters hospital for tests, October.
1998
Carl Perkins RIP
Unchained wins grammy for best country album.
August, hospital for 4 days.
1999
Lifetime Achievement Award at Grammies.
All-Star JC tribute in New York.
Anita Carter, June's sister and ex-wife of Bob Wooten, RIP.
October, hospital with pneumonia.
2000
Love, God, Murder.
American 111 Solitary Man
2001
Hospital again with pneumonia.
2002
Waylon RIP.
Hurt video shot in Hendersonville.
American 1V The Man Comes Around
2003
Jan/March hospital 3 times.
Louise Cash RIP
JUNE CARTER RIP.
Final song Engine 143 recorded at Cash Cabin Studio.
September, hopsital.
September 11 returns home.
September 12th J R Cash, the Man in Black, RIP. We still miss someone.
Sept 15th Funeral at First Baptist Church, Hendersonville.
November 10th. Tribute concert at Ryman.
Unearthed 5 CD set released.
May 15, 2003:
June Carter Cash RIP.
September 12, 2003:
Johnny Cash RIP.
2004
My Mothers Hymn Book
2005
Live From Austin, Texas. Recorded January ’87
2006
America V: A Hundred Highways
Personal File
2007
The Great Lost Performance recorded at Asbury Park, New Jersey, July 1990
2008
Johnny Cash’s America
2010
American V1: Ain’t No Grave
2011
Bootleg 3.
THE SINGLES
1955 Hey Porter/Cry! Cry! Cry!
1956 Folsom Prison Blues/So Doggone Lonesome
1956 I Walk the Line/Get Rhythm
1956 There You Go/Train of Love
1957 Next in Line/Don't make Me Go
1957 Home of the Blues/Give My Love to Rose
1958 Ballad of a Teenage Queen/Big River
1958 Guess Things Happen That Way/Come in Stranger
1958 The Ways of a Woman in Love/Nearest Thing to Heaven
1958 All Over Again/What Do I Care
1959 Don't Take Your Guns to Town/I Still Miss Someone
It's Just About Time
Luther Played the Boogie
Thanks a Lot
1959 Frankie's Man, Johnny/You Dreamer You
Katy Too
1959 I Got Stripes/Five Feet High and Rising
Goodbye Little Darlin
1959 Little Drummer Boy
Straight A's in Love
I Love You Because
1960 Seasons of My Heart/Smiling Bill McCall
The Story of a Broken Heart
Down the Street to 301
1960 Second Honeymoon
Mean Eyed Cat
Oh Lonesome Me
1961 The Rebel - Johnny Yuma/40 Shades of Green
1961 Tennessee Flat Top Box
1962 The Big Battle
1962 In the Jailhouse Now
1962 Bonanza
1963 Busted (w/ The Carter Family)
1963 Ring of Fire
1963 The Matador
1964 Understand Your Man/Dark as a Dungeon
1964 The Ballad of Ira Hayes/Bad News
1964 It Ain't Me, Babe (w/ June Carter Cash)
1965 Orange Blossom Special
1965 The Streets of Laredo/Mister Garfield
1965 The Sons of Katie Elder
1965 Pickin’ Time/Happy to Be with You
1966 The One on the Right Is on the Left
1966 Everybody Loves a Nut
1966 Boa Constrictor
1967 You Beat All I Ever Saw
1967 Jackson (w/ June Carter Cash)
1967 Long-Legged Guitar Pickin' Man (w/ June Carter Cash)
1967 Red Velvet/The Wind Changes
1968 Rosanna's Going Wild
1968 Folsom Prison Blues(re-release)
1968 Daddy Sang Bass
1969 A Boy Named Sue/San Quentin
Get Rhythm (re-release)
1969 Blistered/See Ruby Fall
1970 If I Were a Carpenter (w/ June Carter Cash)
Rock Island Line (Sun Re-release)
1970 What Is Truth
1970 Sunday Morning Coming Down
1970 Flesh and Blood
Big River
1971 Man in Black
1971 Singin' in Vietnam Talkin' Blues
1971 No Need to Worry (w/ June Carter Cash)
1971 Papa Was a Good Man
1972 A Thing Called Love
1972 Kate
1972 If I Had a Hammer
1972 Oney
1973 Any Old Wind That Blows
1973 The Loving Gift (w/ June Carter Cash)
1973 Children
1973 Allegheny(w/ June Carter Cash)
1974 Orleans Parish Prison
1974 Ragged Old Flag
1974 The Junkie and the Juicehead, Minus Me
1974 Father and Daughter (Father and Son) (w/ Rosey Nix)
1975 Lady Came from Baltimore
1975 My Old Kentucky Home
(Turpentine and Dandelion Wine)
1975 Look at Them Beans
1976 Texas - 1947
1976 Strawberry Cake (Live)
1976 One Piece at a Time
1976 Sold Out of Flagpoles
1976 It's All Over
1976 Far Side banks of Jordan/Old Time Feeling"(w/ June Carter Cash)
1977 The Last Gunfighter Ballad
1977 Lady
1977 After the Ball
1978 I Would Like to See You Again
1978 There Ain't No Good Chain Gang/ I Wish I Was Crazy Again
1978 Gone Girl
1978 It'll Be Her
1978 I Will Rock and Roll with You
1979 (Ghost) Riders in the Sky
1979 I'll Say It's True
Wings in the Morning
1980 Bull Rider
1980 Song of the Patriot
1980 Cold Lonesome Morning
1981 Last Time
1981 Without Love
1981 The Baron
1982 Mobile Boy
1982 The Reverend Mr. Black/Chattanooga City Limit Sign
The General Lee
1982 Georgia on a Fast Train
1983 Fair Weather Friends
1983 We Must Believe in Magic
1983 I'm Ragged But I'm Right
1984 Johnny 99
1984 That's the Truth
1984 Chicken in Black
They Killed Him
1985 I'm Leaving Now
1986 Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (w/ Waylon Jennings)
1986 The Ballad of Forty Dollars(w/ Waylon Jennings)
1987 The Night Hank Williams Came to Town
1988 Sixteen Tons
1988 Ballad of a Teenage Queen
(w/ Rosanne Cash and The Everly Brothers)/ Get Rhythm (re-release)
Let Him Roll
W. Lee O'Daniel (And the Light Crust Doughboys)
1989 That Old Wheel (w/ Hank Williams Jr.)
Farmer's Almanac
Cat's in the Cradle
Goin' by the Book
1991 The Mystery of Life
Delia's Gone
Rusty Cage
I've Been Everywhere
The Man Comes Around
Hurt"
God's Gonna Cut You Down
Help Me
Ain't No Grave
Redemption Day