Johnny Cash
USA, 1954–2003
American singer (1932-2003), known as the Man in Black. His Sun and Columbia recordings used a spare boom-chicka-boom accompaniment, and the late American Recordings series reintroduced him to a younger audience.
MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced Johnny Cash and 3 artists Johnny Cash influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.
Who influenced Johnny Cash?
- The Carter Family — The Carter Family's songbook was Cash's childhood scripture — he married into the family and carried their repertoire for life.
- Jimmie Rodgers — Rodgers was Cash's declared country cornerstone — he recorded tributes and kept Rodgers's railroad songs in his repertoire for decades.
- Hank Williams — Hank Williams was Cash's other country cornerstone — the lonesome directness and moral weight Cash carried, and whose songs ('I Walk the Line' lineage, covers of Hank) run through his catalogue.
Which artists did Johnny Cash influence?
- Nick Cave — Cash's gospel darkness was Cave's childhood door into music — the two later duetted on 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry'.
- Bob Dylan — Dylan called Cash's voice a revelation of his youth — the two exchanged fan letters before duetting on Nashville Skyline; 'Johnny was and is the North Star'.
- Ricky Nelson — Johnny Cash's country grounding was among the rockabilly influences Nelson drew on.