Lasting Legacy of Johnny Cash: A Look at the Influence on History

How the contributions of Johnny Cash continue to shape the world today.

Johnny Cash, the "Man in Black," was a highly influential American singer-songwriter renowned for his distinctive bass-baritone voice and the signature train-like sound of his band, the Tennessee Three. His music often explored themes of sorrow, moral struggles, and redemption, particularly in his later work. Known for his rebellious persona juxtaposed with a somber humility, he famously performed free concerts in prisons. Cash's all-black attire became his trademark, solidifying his iconic status in music history.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1964: Influence on Bob Dylan's Career

In 1964, Johnny Cash's letter to Broadside influenced Bob Dylan's shift in musical direction, advocating for artists to be heard without interruption.

1965: Influence on Bob Dylan

In 1965, Johnny Cash significantly influenced Bob Dylan's decision to transition to using an electric guitar, notably demonstrated at Dylan's performance at the Newport Folk Festival.

1971: Release of "Man in Black"

In 1971, Johnny Cash's song "Man in Black" codified an image that the singer had assumed naturally for more than fifteen years, portraying him as a blue-collar prophet who spoke truth to power.

1997: Cash Reflects on Drug Use

In a 1997 interview, Johnny Cash reflected on his past drug use, noting that the pills eventually started taking him.

1999: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

In 1999, Johnny Cash received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

1999: Cash Portrayed in 'I Still Miss Someone'

In 1999, country singer Mark Collie portrayed Johnny Cash in John Lloyd Miller's award-winning short film I Still Miss Someone.

September 12, 2003: Death of Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash died on September 12, 2003. He was an American singer-songwriter, known as the "Man in Black."

2003: Rolling Stone's Recognition of Dual Hall of Fame Inductions

Marking his death in 2003, Rolling Stone stated Johnny Cash was the only artist other than Elvis Presley inducted as a performer into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2004: Ranking on Rolling Stone's List

In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Johnny Cash number 31 on their "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" list.

November 2005: Release of 'Walk the Line'

In November 2005, Walk the Line, a biographical film about Johnny Cash's life, was released in the United States to commercial success and critical acclaim. Joaquin Phoenix portrayed Johnny Cash, and Reese Witherspoon portrayed June Carter Cash.

July 4, 2006: Posthumous Release of 'American V: A Hundred Highways'

On July 4, 2006, American V: A Hundred Highways, a collaboration between Johnny Cash and producer Rick Rubin, was released posthumously.

July 22, 2006: 'American V' Debuts at Number One

On July 22, 2006, the posthumously released album "American V: A Hundred Highways" by Johnny Cash debuted at number one on the Billboard Top 200 album chart.

2006: Release of 'American V: A Hundred Highways'

In 2006, the album American V: A Hundred Highways was released, featuring some of Johnny Cash's final recordings, including "Like the 309".

2007: Johnny Cash Flower Pickin' Festival

From November 2–4, 2007, the Johnny Cash Flower Pickin' Festival was held in Starkville, Mississippi, honoring Cash's life and music. It included a symbolic posthumous pardon for his 1965 arrest and was intended to become an annual event.

2007: JC Unit One on Exhibit

In 2007, JC Unit One, Johnny Cash's private tour bus, was put on exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. Public tours of the bus are offered seasonally.

2007: Vivian Liberto's Book on "Ring of Fire" Origins

In 2007, Johnny Cash's first wife Vivian Liberto published her book, "I Walked the Line: My Life with Johnny", claiming Cash gave Carter half the songwriting credit for "Ring of Fire" for monetary reasons.

I Walked the Line: My Life with Johnny

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February 23, 2010: Release of 'American VI: Ain't No Grave'

On February 23, 2010, three days before what would have been Johnny Cash's 78th birthday, his second posthumous record, titled American VI: Ain't No Grave, was released by the Cash Family, Rick Rubin, and Lost Highway Records.

2010: Ranking on Rolling Stone's List of Greatest Singers

In 2010, Rolling Stone ranked Johnny Cash number 21 on their "100 Greatest Singers" list.

2010: Auction of Nudie Cohn Shirt

In 2010, the Nudie Cohn shirt that Johnny Cash wore as the grand marshal of the United States Bicentennial parade was sold for $25,000 in an auction.

2011: Book Published About 'Bitter Tears' and Re-recording of Songs

In 2011, a book was published about Johnny Cash's album "Bitter Tears", leading to contemporary artists re-recording the songs and a documentary film about Cash's efforts with the album.

2012: Inclusion in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums

In 2012, Rolling Stone ranked Johnny Cash's 1968 live album At Folsom Prison and his 1994 studio album American Recordings at No. 88 and No. 366, respectively, in its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

April 26, 2013: Opening of New Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville

On April 26, 2013, a new Johnny Cash Museum, founded by Shannon and Bill Miller, opened in downtown Nashville.

June 5, 2013: Release of Forever Stamp Honoring Cash

On June 5, 2013, a limited-edition Forever stamp honoring Johnny Cash went on sale, featuring a promotional picture taken around the 1963 release of Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash.

2013: Publication of Johnny Cash: The Life

In 2013, Robert Hilburn's biography, "Johnny Cash: The Life", was published.

Johnny Cash

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October 14, 2014: Unveiling of Phase 1 of Johnny Cash Trail

On October 14, 2014, the City of Folsom unveiled phase 1 of the Johnny Cash Trail to the public with a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Rosanne Cash. The trail features public art pieces telling the story of Johnny Cash and his connection to Folsom Prison.

2015: Posthumous Role in Lego Dimensions

In 2015, Johnny Cash posthumously reprised his role as the "Space Coyote" in the Lego Dimensions video game, utilizing archival audio recordings from The Simpsons episode "El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer".

2015: New Tarantula Species Named After Cash

In 2015, a new species of black tarantula was identified near Folsom Prison and named Aphonopelma johnnycashi in honor of Johnny Cash.

November 2016: Documentary Film About 'Bitter Tears' Airs on PBS

In November 2016, a documentary film about Johnny Cash's work with the album "Bitter Tears" was aired on PBS.

2016: "Country Legends Race" at Nashville Sounds Games

In 2016, the Nashville Sounds Minor League Baseball team added the "Country Legends Race" to its between-innings entertainment, featuring caricatures of Cash, George Jones, Reba McEntire, and Dolly Parton.

2016: Publication of Cash's Poems in 'Forever Words'

In 2016, the poems of Johnny Cash were published in book form in 'Forever Words', which were then set to music and released as an album in 2018.

February 8, 2018: Announcement of 'Forever Words' Album

On February 8, 2018, the album Forever Words was announced. It sets music to poems that Johnny Cash had written and which were published in book form in 2016.

May 2, 2018: Boyhood Home Listed in National Register

On May 2, 2018, Johnny Cash's boyhood home in Dyess was listed in the National Register of Historic Places as "Farm No. 266, Johnny Cash Boyhood Home."

June 3, 2018: Arkansas Country Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award

The Arkansas Country Music Awards honored Johnny Cash's legacy with the Lifetime Achievement award on June 3, 2018. The ceremony was held that same date at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

April 2019: Statue of Cash to Be Placed in National Statuary Hall

In April 2019, it was announced that the state of Arkansas would place a statue of Johnny Cash in the National Statuary Hall to represent the modern history of Arkansas.

2019: Sheryl Crow Releases Duet with Cash on 'Redemption Day'

In 2019, Sheryl Crow released a duet with Johnny Cash on her song "Redemption Day" for her album Threads. Crow added new vocals to those of Cash, who recorded the song for his American VI: Ain't No Grave album.

2021: DNA test of Rosanne Cash on Finding Your Roots

In 2021, a DNA test of Rosanne Cash, Johnny Cash's daughter, on Finding Your Roots revealed she has no known Native American markers, but has 3.3% Sub-Saharan African DNA from both maternal and paternal sides of Cash's family.

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April 2024: Announcement of New Compilation Album 'Songwriter'

In April 2024, it was announced that unfinished and unreleased demos recorded by Johnny Cash were to be released in a new compilation album, Songwriter.

June 28, 2024: Release Date for 'Songwriter' Announced

June 28, 2024 was announced as the release date for Johnny Cash's new compilation album, Songwriter, which was co-produced by his son, John Carter Cash.