Early Life
Cash grew up in Dyess, Arkansas, in a family of cotton farmers, and served in the U.S. Air Force before moving to Memphis to pursue music.
Career
He signed with Sun Records in 1955, where his early hits included “I Walk the Line” and “Folsom Prison Blues”. His live albums At Folsom Prison (1968) and At San Quentin (1969) were huge successes. Late in life he recorded the American Recordings series with producer Rick Rubin, including a celebrated cover of “Hurt”.
Legacy
Cash married the singer June Carter in 1968, and they performed together for decades. He is among the few artists inducted into the Country Music, Rock and Roll, and Songwriters halls of fame. He died in 2003 at age 71, only months after June.
Sources and further reading
Last updated: 2026-09-24