Got Cash??

Yesterday we observed the seven year anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. Indeed it is a somber day of remembrance and thankfulness that our soil has been spared from further such attacks. I decided not to write a blog about it as I've written one the past couple of years. Instead, I'd like to bring up another sad anniversary.

Today is September the 12th. Five years ago today, we lost an American icon. He was a legend in the music industry whose music crossed the usually bigoted genre classes and brought strong influence to musicians abroad. Country musicians, heavy metal musicians, punk rockers, rappers, and MANY others claim to be strongly influenced by this man in black.

We lost Johnny Cash on September 12th, 2003. And with him, we lost yet another legend in the annals of American music. His fame and popularity along with his trademark vocal delivery will live on though. Yes, he lives on in the artists he has influenced. How many musicians can honestly say that they've been able to cross over genres that ordinarily despised each other?

I love the sobering and often somber vibe his tunes carried. I love his need to wear black "just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back. Up front there ought to be a man in black". And I love his songs... I love the way he could take a song that someone else wrote and make it his. I mean, who can ever forget his amazing cover of Trent Reznor's "Hurt"??

"I pop the video in, and wow… Tears welling, silence, goose-bumps… Wow. I just lost my girlfriend, because that song isn't mine anymore… It really made me think about how powerful music is as a medium and art form. I wrote some words and music in my bedroom as a way of staying sane, about a bleak and desperate place I was in, totally isolated and alone. [Somehow] that winds up reinterpreted by a music legend from a radically different era/genre and still retains sincerity and meaning — different, but every bit as pure" - Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails)

There is no need to go over Johnny's extensive success story here. That's what the wikipedia article is for after all! But I hope you take a few moments today to listen to some of his music... And if you don't have any... Go buy some!!

peace
r

R.I.P. John

Oh yes, a great loss indeed for the music world and for humanity.



And let us not forget that he followed closely on the heels of his beloved lifemate, June Carter Cash, who passed away just 4 months prior on May 15, 2003 (my 10 year wedding anniversary, coincidentally).

Honestly... other than Carey wasn't One Bad Pig the nerdiest looking metal band ever?

Anyhoo... Yes John is a legend and wrote with a depth, passion, and sincerity that few have... and many more should emulate. I think people are gravitated towards music performed with passion and authenticity, regardless of genre

ghosts of athanasius wrote:

Honestly... other than Carey wasn't One Bad Pig the nerdiest looking metal band ever?

Well, they are from Austin, TX so that explains quite a bit

ghost of athanasius wrote:

Anyhoo... Yes John is a legend and wrote with a depth, passion, and sincerity that few have... and many more should emulate. I think people are gravitated towards music performed with passion and authenticity, regardless of genre

Agreed. It's hard not to be impressed with someone as passionate as Mr. Cash (unless you're an empty-headed combover)

I remember seeing him on tv a few times as maybe a 5 or 6 yr old and being completely awestruck by him. He stood WAY out from the other country artists; I was connecting with his songs and his persona even then. This simply was not the sort of music played in my home while growing up but then, like now, I've never heard any music fans complain with any tune of his on the stereo/radio.

If there was an encyclopedia that had the entry:Badass, it would seem really wrong if his pic wasn't there.

Some people are remembered more tenderly as they age and lose that element of what made them so striking in youth but ..to me, he still made me feel that same awe I felt as a child through his life and even now, after his passing.

You are deeply missed, Man in Black