Despite Weakness And Pain, He Played Legendary Songs One Last Time

“Hello, I’m Johnny Cash,” was the signature introduction of the legendary Johnny Cash, setting the stage for his iconic performances, including his classic “Folsom Prison Blues” from 1955. His final public appearance upheld this tradition. Before watching the footage of that last show, it’s important to understand the context. On July 5, 2003, despite severe health challenges, Cash took the stage for the last time. By then, he was weakened, using a wheelchair, dealing with facial paralysis, and deeply grieving the loss of his beloved wife, June Carter Cash, who had passed away just two months earlier.

In 1997, Cash was diagnosed with Shy–Drager syndrome, later reclassified as autonomic neuropathy related to diabetes. Despite his declining health and compromised lungs from pneumonia, he continued to work with producer Rick Rubin, releasing acclaimed albums under Rubin’s American Recordings label. The death of June Carter Cash on May 15, 2003, at the age of 73, profoundly affected him, casting a shadow over his final performance.

Johnny Cash’s last show was held at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, near Clinch Mountain. This venue was special to Cash, serving as an homage to June’s legacy. She was the daughter of Maybelle Carter of The Carter Family, pioneers of country music alongside A.P. Carter and Sara Carter. June had been part of this musical heritage since she was ten.

After the original Carter Family stopped recording in 1943, Maybelle and her daughters continued as The Carter Sisters & Mother Maybelle, joining The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in 1950. It was there that June Carter and Johnny Cash first met, both already married to others. The Carter Family Fold, part museum and part concert hall, stands on the Carter family’s original estate.

Remembering Johnny and June at their peak:

“Jackson,” written by Billy Edd Wheeler and Jerry Leiber in 1963, was famously performed by Johnny Cash and June Carter in February 1967, leading to their marriage on March 1, 1968. The song reached No. 2 on the US Country charts and earned them a Grammy in 1968 for Best Country & Western Performance Duet, Trio, or Group.

Johnny Cash’s final act at the Carter Family Fold, despite battling laryngitis, stands as a testament to his indomitable spirit, his vast musical contributions, and his enduring love for June Carter Cash. His performance, though marked by illness, highlights his unwavering commitment and legacy.

A poignant moment in the opening scenes features John Carter Cash, the son of Johnny and June, assisting his father. John Carter Cash is a musician and producer in his own right. Johnny Cash passed away on September 12, 2003, just four months after June. Let’s honor him with one more song from the man in black: