Johnny Cash was born today in 1932. One of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, he is also one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide.
He traditionally began his concerts by simply introducing himself, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash," followed by his signature song "Folsom Prison Blues". Cash's career had spanned rockabilly, country, gospel, and rock n' roll, and during the last stage of his career, Cash covered songs by several late-20th-century rock artists, notably "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails, "Rusty Cage" by Soundgarden and "Rowboat" by Beck.
Cash died in 2003 at the age of 71, four months after the passing of his beloved wife and partner, June Carter Cash.
In 2005 James Mangold directed a film about him called Walk the Line.
The screenplay, written by Mangold and Gill Dennis, is based on two autobiographies authored by singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, 1975's Man in Black, His Own Story in His Own Words and 1997's Cash: The Autobiography.
The film follows Cash's early life, his romance with June Carter, and his ascent in the country music scene. It stars Joaquin Phoenix as Cash, Reese Witherspoon as Carter, Ginnifer Goodwin as Cash's first wife Vivian Liberto, and Robert Patrick as Cash's father.
