After being signed by music production company Sun Records Studio, Johnny released his first recording in 1955, but it was his Folsom Prison Blues album that would see Johnny achieve commercial success. The album made the Country Top Five, and the single "I Walk the Line" reached #1 on the country charts. As he released more tracks and Cash’s success grew, he signed on with Columbia Records.

While the 60s saw Cash’s fame increase, his life also had a dark side. He became addicted to amphetamines, and friends began to notice his erratic behavior and dramatic weight loss. These tough years saw him being arrested several times, once for trespassing, and another for smuggling pills in his guitar case. Nevertheless, his music during this period did not seem to suffer, and he released several successful albums and the well-known single "Ring of Fire." During the early 70s, Cash starred in an ABC television show that featured such well-known artists as Neil Young and Bob Dylan. By the mid-70s, Cash’s popularity began to decline, although his true fans remained loyal.

He continued to record his own music, teamed up with Willie Nelson and other country stars to make the band The Highwaymen, and made appearances in several television movies. The 1990s saw Johnny once again in the spotlight, working with U2 and Tom Petty, and releasing the Grammy Award winning albums American Recordings and Unchained. Although his health was failing by 2000, he continued to work. As recently as 2003, Cash received another Grammy for the deeply moving video for the remake of the Nine Inch Nails song "Hurt" and another for his single "Give My Love to Rose." Johnny Cash made his last appearance in July of 2003, and died in September of the same year due to diabetes complications.

Johnny met his first wife, Vivian Liberto, while training for the Air Force. They married in 1954 and Johnny sold appliances to pay the bills. Although their relationship was rocky as a result of Johnny’s extended absences during touring, they had four daughters during their marriage. Johnny met June Carter Cash, a fellow Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter while on one of his many tours. After his divorce from Vivian, he proposed to her onstage in London, Ontario. Although she had already been married twice, she accepted.

Their reunion would last thirty-five years, and they would make music together, tour with each other, and also have their son, John Carter Cash. June died in May of 2003 and Johnny died less than four months later.

With album sales totaling nearly 50 million, Rock and Rock Hall of Fame and Country Music Hall of Fame inductions, and a recently released film starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon honoring his incredible life, there is no doubt about the influence and legacy that Johnny Cash left behind.

YUDDY