The following timeline was put together through two different works. The works are by Arthur Levy and James Keast. Both were authored in celebration of John's 70th birthday. Together they offer an unmatched review of Johnny Cash's life and career.

Feb. 26, 1932

J.R. Cash (his parents couldn’t agree on a name at first, just initials) is born to Ray Cash, a farmer, and Carrie Rivers Cash in 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas. The fourth of five children to a cotton farming. (Kingsland looks straight across the Mississippi River at Lake County, Tennessee, where Carl Perkins is born near Tiptonville about six weeks later, on April 9. Their sharecropper family roots provide an important mutual bond in the '50s.) He first learns a host of traditional gospel songs from his mother, then radio becomes a huge influence. The entire Cash clan sings while they pick in the fields

1935

At the height of the Depression, Ray takes advantage of a new farming program, an experiment in American Socialism created by Roosevelt's new administration. With no money down, Cash family is given 20 acres of fertile bottom land and a five-room house in Dyess Colony, in the northeast part of the state, near the 'big river.' 1937 flood evacuation of Dyess is memorialized in 1959 song, "Five Feet High and Rising."

Next 15 years: J.R. grows up in Dyess and becomes known as 'John' (though nobody ever learns what the 'R' stands for). Starts as a waterboy at age 4, out in the cotton fields soaking up stories from other sharecroppers. Countless songs written by Cash over next five decades originate in these humble times. Floods, droughts, WWII, and closeness of his five brothers and sisters -- Roy, Jack, Tommy, Reba and Joann -- all inspire John.

Music everywhere: Work songs chanted by field hands morning 'til night, freight trains a-rolling, family piano, mother's devotion to Pentecostal Church of God (at age 12, John accepts Christ), whose hellfire and brimstone services allow guitars and such as accompaniment. Most of all, C&W music on the radio -- Smilin' Eddie Hill's "High Noon Round-Up" from WMPS/Memphis (with the Louvin Brothers) everyday at lunch break. Friday and Saturday nights are reserved for Grand Ole Opry radio broadcasts and the music of Ernest Tubb, Roy Acuff and Hank Williams.

Roy Cash leads Dixie (or Delta) Rhythm Ramblers C&W band, late-'40s.

1944

In 1944, John’s older brother Jack is killed in a farm accident at age 14. Jack was a man of God, destined for the priesthood and the greatest religious influence in Cash’s young life. As a teenager, Cash’s mother saves for singing lessons for her son; after three lessons, his teacher tells him to never take another lesson, and never change how he naturally sings.

1950

John graduates from Dyess High School, heads north to Detroit to work at Fisher auto body plant in Pontiac, Mich., a teenager's flight which lasts less than a month.

July 7, 1950

Returns to Dyess, signs up for the Air Force and takes basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Dates Vivian Liberto, local high school senior from San Antonio. Assigned as Radio Intercept Operator to Air Force base in Landsberg, Germany, where he writes to Vivian everyday. Organizes a band of five servicemen who share his C&W tastes as the 'Landsberg Barbarians' as he learns to strum guitar and write an occasional verse.

July, 1954

Elvis Presley's debut single is recorded and released on Sam Phillips' Sun Records, "That's All Right" b/w "Blue Moon of Kentucky," Sun 209.

Eager to get into music after discharge, John moves to Memphis, takes a radio announcer's course part-time on the G.I. Bill while working as a door-to-door appliance salesman, a job arranged by brother Roy -- he works at local Chevrolet dealership, near Sun Studios on Union Avenue.

Roy introduces John to two mechanics at Chevy garage: Luther Monroe Perkins and Marshall Grant (both four to five years older than John and formerly in Dixie Rhythm Ramblers), guitar pickers who, with steel guitarist A.W. 'Red' Kernodle (10 years their senior) comprise the Tennessee Three. They rehearse gospel songs to play at local parties and church socials, dressed in black, the best wardrobe decision their budget can afford.

Aug. 7, 1954

John marries Vivian Liberto.

Late 1954

Befriended by Elvis and Scotty Moore, John and the renamed Tennessee Two (Luther on lead guitar, Marshall now on bass fiddle, Kernodle gone) obtain audition at Sun, where they record "Wide Open Road" and "You're My Baby" (Cash originals) with Phillips, who advises them to drop gospel and stick to C&W.

March 22, 1955

Cash, renamed 'Johnny' by Phillips (his producer until 1958), returns to Sun with Tennessee Two and records "Hey Porter." Later b/w "Cry, Cry, Cry" (recorded in May) as Sun 221, single edges out Elvis and the Louvins at No. 1 in Memphis that summer and hits No. 14 on Billboard C&W chart. Johnny earns his first royalty check, for $2.41.

Other 1955 Info

Like Elvis before him, Johnny Cash camps out in front of Sam Phillips’s legendary Sun Studios trying to catch a break. His real desire is to be a gospel singer, but Phillips won’t bite, so Cash returns with "Hey Porter." Backed with "Cry Cry Cry," it becomes his first Sun single.

May 24, 1955

Rosanne Cash born in Memphis, eldest daughter of Johnny and Vivian.

Summer, 1955

Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two appear at local Memphis shows with Elvis Presley and land a regular spot on 15-minute KWEM Saturday radio program.

Sept. 26, 1955

Carlene Carter (Rebecca Carlene Smith) born in Nashville to country singers June Carter and Carl Smith.

December, 1955

"Folsom Prison Blues" (song first intended by Phillips for Tennessee Ernie Ford as follow-up to "Davy Crockett" and prelude to "Sixteen Tons") b/w "So Doggone Lonesome" by Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two is released, coinciding with their "Louisiana Hayride" debut. Single hits No. 4 C&W, Johnny gets a second royalty check, this time for $6,000. Joins 'Elvis Presley Jamboree' package tour with Carl Perkins and others.

After two misses, Carl Perkins' first hit single breaks through, "Blue Suede Shows" b/w "Honey Don't," Sun 234. He and his brothers go out on package tours with Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, George Jones et al.

April 2, 1956

"I Walk the Line" b/w "Get Rhythm" by Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two is released, reportedly a 2 million seller, hits No. 1 C&W and Top 20 pop. Cash signs his first management deal with Bob Neal, Presley's manager prior to Col. Tom Parker.

Other 1956 Info:

With a title inspired by Carl Perkins and a melody cribbed from a backwards-spooled tape recorder from his Air Force days, "I Walk the Line" becomes Cash’s first number one hit, eventually selling over one million copies. In his 1997 autobiography, Cash, he writes that he’s still angry that Sam Phillips never bought him a Cadillac to mark this occasion, a gift Phillips had given to both Elvis and Carl Perkins after they had huge, breakthrough success.

Dec. 4, 1956

'Million Dollar Quartet' legend is born when Memphis newspaper photographs Cash and Elvis who have dropped in on Carl Perkins session (for "Matchbox") at Sun Studios, with Jerry Lee Lewis as piano sideman.

Other Info:

During a Carl Perkins recording session that features Jerry Lee Lewis on piano, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley happen by Sun Studios. The nearly 40 takes recorded that day become famous as the "Million Dollar Quartet." Reports vary from many sources about the different artists’ participation, including Cash’s own recollections æ in his 1975 autobiography, The Man In Black, he claims it occurred in 1955, not ’56, and at different times claims to sing on different songs.

Jan. 19, 1957

Cash performs on The Jackie Gleason Show (almost one year to the week after Elvis), following success of "There You Go" (No. 1 C&W) b/w "Train of Love" (No. 7 C&W).

1957

C&W/pop crossover Sun hit singles released: "Next In Line" b/w "Don't Make Me Go"; "Home of the Blues" b/w "Give My Love to Rose."

Johnny Cash With His Hot & Blue Guitar, first Sun album released, with "Cry, Cry, Cry," "Folsom Prison Blues," "So Doggone Lonesome," "I Walk the Line," and more.

Other 1957 Info:

Achieves a lifelong dream when he performs on the Grand Ole Opry; eventually lands a regular spot on the Opry, which requires his return to Nashville every Saturday night for a performance.

On a late night drive through Florida on tour with singer Faron Young, Cash is offered amphetamines for the first time to help keep awake for the drive. From then on, the drug becomes an increasingly dominant presence in his life. In November, although his contract with Sun Records is not up, Cash signs a secret agreement with Columbia Records that will begin when his Sun contract expires the following year. It proves a remarkable deal for Columbia, who avoid a very expensive bidding war for his services the next summer, as his star continues to rise.

Early/Mid-1958

Two more No. 1 C&W/Top 20 pop Sun hit singles (with new producer Jack Clement) succeed in catching youth market: "Ballad of a Teenage Queen" (No. 1 C&W for 10 weeks) b/w "Big River"; "Guess Things Happen That Way" b/w "Come in Stranger."

Summer, 1958

Success prompts his signing to Columbia Records by Don Law (on "a simple handshake agreement") as Sun contract concludes. With Columbia advance, Cash moves family to Ventura near Los Angeles. "The Ways of a Woman in Love" (written by Charlie Rich) b/w "You're the Nearest Thing to Heaven" is final Sun single under old contract.

Other 1958 Info:

Sam Phillips, having already lost Presley, is bitter at the departure of Cash from Sun Records; the approximately 70 songs Cash recorded in three years are repackaged and released on more than 25 different albums in the ensuing years. Cash, for his part, feels he never got his financial due from Sun. His contract with Columbia Records allows him, for the first time, to pursue his lifelong interest in gospel music.

July 24, 1958

First Columbia session at Bradley's Barn in Nashville with Don Law, who produces him for next decade (with Frank Jones); yields "What Do I Care" b/w "All Over Again," Top 5 C&W/Top 40 pop.

Dec. 8, 1958

The Fabulous Johnny Cash, first Columbia LP enters Top LPs chart, hits No. 19, includes next single.

January, 1959

"Don't Take Your Guns to Town" hits No. 1 C&W/Top 40 pop, ignites string of western gunslinger tunes and quasi-historical sagas on Columbia by Johnny Horton ("Battle of New Orleans"), Marty Robbins ("El Paso"), Stonewall Jackson ("Waterloo") and others.

The Fabulous Johnny Cash, first Columbia LP released, includes "Don't Take Your Guns to Town," "I Still Miss Someone" and his version of "Frankie & Johnny," also known as "Frankie's Man, Johnny."

May, 1959

Hymns by Johnny Cash, second Columbia LP released, described as "the album he came to Columbia to record," because of Sam Phillips' reluctance to allow him to record gospel material at Sun.

Other 1959 Info:

In addition to appearances on a host of variety shows, Cash begins making short dramatic appearances on popular C&W programs like Wagon Train.

October, 1959

The Rebel TV series premiere starring Nick Adams, features "The Ballad of Johnny Yuma" theme sung by Johnny Cash (not issued as single until June, 1961); again ignites a new genre (Civil War songs), as Horton hits Top 10 C&W that month with "Johnny Reb."

1959-1960

After a succession of studio drummers (including J.M. Van Eaton and Buddy Harman), W.S. Holland joins touring and recording group as a regular member for decades to come.

Dozen-plus singles keep Cash in forefront, as Columbia hits ("Frankie's Man, Johnny," "I Got Stripes" b/w "Five Feet High and Rising," "The Little Drummer Boy," "Seasons of My Heart," "Second Honeymoon") jockey on C&W and pop charts with final year of Tennessee Two Sun sides ("Luther Played the Boogie," "Katy Too," Gene Autry's "Goodby Little Darlin'," "Mean Eyed Cat," "Oh Lonesome Me").

Jan. 1, 1960

San Quentin is first free show of many by Cash at California prisons, finds 22-year-old inmate Merle Haggard sitting in first row.

September, 1960

Ride This Train released, subtitled "A Stirring Travelogue of America in Song and Story," his first "concept" album interweaving music and narration; tied-in with one-hour television special of same name and theme, sponsored by Lionel (electric toy) Trains.

1961

First Hollywood recording sessions yield "Tennessee Flat Top Box" (No. 1 C&W hit for Rosanne in 1987) and "The Big Battle," metaphor for his separation from wife and family as early hints of drug and alcohol abuse seep into public notoriety.

As the Carter Family joins the Johnny Cash road show, burgeoning folk music boom, centered in New York, fosters connection to his reservoir of alienated and disenfranchised Americana, which is likened to the best of Woody Guthrie, John Steinbeck and young Bob Dylan.

Other 1961 Info

Having moved to California in part to break into movies, as Presley had, Cash performs his first dramatic part in a feature as a maniacal killer in 5 Minutes to Live (later released as Door to Door Maniac).

June Carter and several members of the legendary country act the Carter Family, join Johnny Cash’s touring entourage, a package of several acts that would perform an entire show.

Summer, 1962

Back in Nashville, first recordings with Carter Family include folk music ("The Legend of John Henry's Hammer") and gospel numbers ("There'll Be Peace in the Valley for Me," "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord").

1962-1963

Consecutive C&W hits with "In the Jailhouse Now" (old Jimmie Rodgers tune) and "Busted" (Harlan Howard via Ray Charles), with Carter Family, add to rebellious, anti-establishment image. Cash is now living in Greenwich Village, epicenter of U.S. folk music scene, inspiration for his album Blood, Sweat & Tears, dominated by traditional folksongs.

March 25, 1963

"Ring of Fire" (written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore) recorded in Nashville with mariachi-style trumpets and Carter Family on backing vocals; hits No. 1 C&W (for seven weeks), Cash's first No. 1 in four years. Quick sound-alike follow-up, "The Matador" hits No. 2 (for two weeks).

Other 1963 Info:

"Ring of Fire," written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore was originally recorded by June’s sister Anita.

July 27, 1963

Ring of Fire (The Best of Johnny Cash) enters Top LPs chart, collection of folk, gospel, Civil War, gunslinger, Carter Family and jukebox hits.

Jan. 11, 1964

When Billboard debuts its new Hot Country Albums chart, Ring of Fire is listed at No. 1, where it stays 14 weeks, his first RIAA gold album.

July, 1964

I Walk the Line, which includes 6 newly recorded Sun hits, enters C&W (No. 1 for four weeks) and pop album charts; his second RIAA gold album.

Nov. 7, 1964

"It Ain't Me Babe" (written by Bob Dylan), duet with June Carter, hits No. 4 C&W, spends 22 weeks on chart; later becomes Top 10 career-making debut hit by the Turtles in summer '65.

Nov. 14, 1964

Bitter Tears (Ballads of the American Indian) enters C&W chart, hits No. 2, songs written with Native American laureate Peter LaFarge, including "The Ballad of Ira Hayes," intensifies Cash connection to progressive faction of folk movement.

Other 1964 Info:

Records Bitter Tears, a concept album that reflects his long-standing interest in Native American life, that includes "The Ballad of Ira Hayes." Hayes was a Pima Indian who contributed to one of the most enduring moments of American military life when he helped raise the American flag at Iwo Jima; his reception upon his return was less than heroic. Country radio refuses to play the controversial song; Cash places a full-page ad in Billboard lambasting radio for their conservative politics and for being fraidy-cats.

His touring camper "Jesse" (after Jesse James), having survived several crashes, including destroying the porch of the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, meets its final, fiery end in California, when it overheats and set fire to some grass. While a stoned Cash fishes nearby to secure his alibi ("I didn’t start that fire," he claims, "my truck did.") fire spreads up three different mountaintops, all part of a wildlife reserve for California condors and other endangered species. Cash becomes the only person the U.S. government has ever successfully sued for starting a forest fire, and he pays a fine of $165,000.

Feb. 20, 1965

"Orange Blossom Special" (with Charlie McCoy, harmonica, and Boots Randolph, sax) enters C&W chart, hits No. 3.

March 20, 1965

Orange Blossom Special enters C&W chart, hits No. 3, landmark fusion of C&W and folk, includes title tune single and "The Long Black Veil," and three Bob Dylan songs: "It Ain't Me, Babe," "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" and "Mama, You Been on My Mind."

June 17, 1965

Appears at first New York Folk Festival, Carnegie Hall in New York.

Oct. 5, 1965

Arrested at airport in El Paso, Texas, on his way to Mexico, charged by Customs officials with possession of 668 Dexedrine and 475 Equanil pills found in his guitar case. Receives 30-day suspended jail term and $1,000 fine.

Other 1965 Info:

Cash is arrested carrying hundreds of pills from Mexico into Texas; though pills are at this point not vilified in American life as narcotics, and Cash is regularly supplied by various doctors, he is incarcerated for having acquired them illegally. (The cops busted the trip suspecting he was carrying heroin.) He spends the night in jail; the bust is last straw in his marriage to Vivian. He makes a stoned appearance at the Grand Ole Opry and before the show even begins, in a fit over a faulty mic stand, drags the stand across the footlights of the stage, smashing many of them. He is told the Opry won’t be needing his services any longer.

1965

"The Sons of Katie Elder," John Wayne film title song, hits Top 10 C&W.

1966

"The One on the Right Is on the Left" and "Everybody Loves a Nut," from same-titled LP of 'novelty' songs and Shel Silverstein doggerel (with classic cover by MAD magazine artist Jack Davis) seeks to defuse image problems. But after a car crash and being found near death from a drug overdose, Vivian divorces him.

1967

Drug use escalates as he moves back to Nashville and joins Waylon Jennings for 'lost weekend' that lasts over a year, until June Carter steps in. She leads him back to Christianity and helps him overcome drugs. To take up slack, Columbia issues Johnny Cash's Greatest Hits, Volume 1, which spends 71 weeks on pop chart, certified RIAA double-platinum.

March 4, 1967

"Jackson" duet with June Carter (with Carl Perkins, guitar) enters C&W chart, hits No. 2; quickly covered by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood as pop hit three months later.

Sept. 2, 1967

Carryin' On With Johnny Cash & June Carter enters C&W chart, hits No. 5, solidifies their partnership with reprise of big chart duets ("It Ain't Me Babe," "Jackson"), plus Mimi & Dick Fariña's "Pack Up Your Sorrows" and two by Ray Charles, "I Got a Woman" and "What'd I Say."

Jan. 13, 1968

Folsom Prison (California) concert is recorded by Columbia.

Feb. 29, 1968

Cash and Carter win Grammy for best C&W performance by a duo/group for "Jackson" at 10th annual awards.

March 1, 1968

Johnny Cash and June Carter are wed.

June, 1968

"Folsom Prison Blues" (update of 1956 Sun hit) single from new album, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, first LP with new producer Bob Johnston; both single and LP enter C&W charts, both hit No. 1 for four weeks. Album spends 92 weeks on C&W chart, 122 weeks on pop chart; certified RIAA platinum, chosen CMA album of the year (in October).

Other 1968 Info:

"Hello, I’m Johnny Cash." Newly sober and rejuvenated, records famed live record Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison. Starts playing make-up shows for ones he missed due to addiction. February 1, on stage in London, ON, Johnny proposes to June Carter; they’re married March 1.

Long-time Tennessee Two guitarist Luther Perkins dies in a house fire. Bob Wootton joins the band as a guitarist; in 1974, he’ll become a member of the family as well when he marries June’s sister Anita.

Dec. 7, 1968

"Daddy Sang Bass," written by Carl Perkins, with Perkins, guitar, Statler Brothers and Carter Family, background vocals, enters C&W chart, hits No. 1 (for six weeks); from The Holy Land, concept album of inspirational songs about Israel with narrative. Song lyric mentions "little brother," that is, Jack Cash, who has died accidentally in tragic electric sawing accident.

Feb. 17, 1969

Cash sits in on one session for Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline, produced by Bob Johnston, duet on Dylan's "Girl From the North Country"; LP released in May features liner notes by Cash.

Feb. 24, 1969

San Quentin Prison (California) concert is recorded by Columbia.

March 12, 1969

"Folsom Prison Blues" wins Grammy for best country vocal performance, male, and Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison wins best liner notes (written by him) at 11th annual awards.

June 7, 1969

The Johnny Cash Show premieres on ABC-TV from Grand Ole Opry with special guest Bob Dylan (on first show); and regular cast, Tennessee Three, June Carter and Carter Family, Statler Brothers and Carl Perkins, stepping in for Luther Perkins, who has just died accidentally in tragic fire. Bob Wootton becomes permanent replacement in Cash's band and a mainstay for the next three decades.

July, 1969

"A Boy Named Sue" (written by Shel Silverstein) enters C&W chart, hits No. 1 (for five weeks), certified RIAA gold, chosen CMA single of the year, from album.

Johnny Cash at San Quentin, also including Bob Dylan's "Wanted Man," enters C&W and pop charts, hits No. 1 C&W (for 20 weeks) and spends 55 weeks; and No. 1 pop (for four weeks) and spends 70 weeks; certified RIAA double-platinum, chosen CMA album of the year and Cash named CMA entertainer of the year.

Other 1969 Info:

1969 is the greatest year of Cash’s career. He sells six-and-a-half million records, more than any individual artist had (at that time) ever sold in one year. Records Johnny Cash At San Quentin, which surpasses Folsom Prison in sales, and "A Boy Named Sue" becomes a number 1 hit. In June 1969, begins broadcasting The Johnny Cash Show on ABC; guests include Bob Dylan in an extremely rare network TV appearance.

Nov. 22, 1969

"Blistered" (written by Billy Edd Wheeler) with Perkins, guitar, b/w "See Ruby Fall" double-A sided hit enters C&W chart, hits No. 4.

1969-1970

Sun Records license acquired by Shelby Singleton, who begins extensive reissue program, beginning with "Get Rhythm" single and album of same title, then Original Golden Hits, Volume I and Volume II, Show Time, Story Songs of the Trains and Rivers and The Singing Story Teller, all of which break on the C&W and pop charts, confirming the enduring legacy of that early (1955-1958) Cash music on Sun.

Jan. 24, 1970

"If I Were a Carpenter" (written by Tim Hardin, via Bobby Darin), duet by Cash and Carter enters C&W chart, hits No. 2.

Feb. 14, 1970

Hello, I'm Johnny Cash enters C&W chart, hits No. 1 (for four weeks), certified RIAA gold, includes last two singles, above.

March 3, 1970

John Carter Cash is born. to June and John

March 11, 1970

"A Boy Named Sue" wins Grammy for best country vocal performance, male, (Shel Silverstein wins best country song) and Johnny Cash wins best albums notes (for Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline) at 12th annual awards.

April 17, 1970

Invited to White House to perform for President Nixon.

June 6, 1970

The World of Johnny Cash compilation double-LP enters C&W chart, hits No. 2 (for two weeks), certified RIAA gold.

Sept. 5, 1970

"Sunday Morning Coming Down" (written by Kris Kristofferson), which describes an addict's turmoil, enters C&W chart, hits No. 1 (for two weeks), wins CMA song of the year for Kris.

Nov. 14, 1970

The Johnny Cash Show, recorded live at the Grand Ole Opry, enters C&W chart, hits No. 1 (for four weeks), certified RIAA gold.

Dec. 19, 1970

I Walk the Line, soundtrack from movie (based on the novel, An Exile) starring Gregory Peck; and single "Flesh and Blood" both enter C&W charts; LP hits No. 9 and single hits No. 1.

March 16, 1971

"If I Were a Carpenter" wins Grammy for best country performance by a duo/group at 13th annual awards (Cash's last Grammy for more than 15 years).

March 27, 1971

"Man in Black," with one verse referring to Vietnam, is first single produced by Johnny Cash (after two years with Johnston) enters C&W chart, hits No. 3.

June 19, 1971

Man in Black, album produced by Johnny Cash, with left-wing leaning "Singin' in Vietnam Talkin' Blues" and "Ned Kelly" balanced by duet with evangelist Billy Graham, enters C&W chart, hits No. 1 (for two weeks)

. May, 1971

Final ABC-TV broadcast of The Johnny Cash Show, after having presented such rarely-seen guests as Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, Neil Young, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, Roy Orbison, Hank Williams Jr., Dennis Hopper, Judy Collins and Merle Haggard. Johnny Cash and June Carter journey to Israel to film "Gospel Road" documentary about contemporary life in the Holy Land, distributed by Billy Graham organization and still in great demand today.

Other 1971 Info:

Having won a Grammy Award for writing the liner notes for Folsom Prison, Cash wins another for the liner notes to Bob Dylan’s Nashville Skyline, on which he appears as a guest.

Oct. 23, 1971

The Johnny Cash Collection (His Greatest Hits, Volume II) enters C&W chart, hits No. 5, certified RIAA platinum, his final platinum album to-date.

1972

Touring and recording continues, along with involvement in Native American rights prisoner rights, and evangelical work with Billy Graham's crusade. There is also a new preoccupation: Acting -- in movies and on TV, e.g. A Gunfight (western with Kirk Douglas), and a memorable Columbo episode, though many more roles will follow.

Columbia chart albums and chart singles include: A Thing Called Love (with title tune and "Papa Was a Good Man," both featuring the Evangel Temple Choir on background vocals, and "Kate"); Johnny Cash: America (A 200-year Salute In Story and Song) concept LP with narrative interwoven between new and previously issued 'period' songs; and The Johnny Cash Songbook (compilation on Harmony label).

Other 1972 Info:

Pays tribute to the legacy of American life on yet another concept record, America: A 200-Year Salute In Story and Song. Opens The House of Cash, a recording studio and offices to deal with all things Cash.

1973

Columbia chart albums and chart singles include: Any Old Wind That Blows (with title tune and "Oney" and two duets with June, "If I Had a Hammer" and "The Loving Gift"); The Gospel Road documentary soundtrack featuring Carter Family, Statler Brothers (with "Children"); Johnny Cash and His Woman duet LP with June Carter (with "Allegheny"); and Sunday Morning Coming Down compilation.

1974

Columbia chart albums and chart singles include: Ragged Old Flag (the first LP of his career to this point for which he has written every song, including title tune single); Five Feet and Rising; and The Junkie and the Juicehead Minus Me (with June Carter, and introducing 19-year olds Carlene Carter and Rosanne Cash).

Other 1974 Info:

John and June Carter finance, produce and assist in directing Gospel Road, a film about the life of Christ. The film is still distributed by Billy Graham’s Crusade, an organization with which the Cash’s have a long-standing relationship.

1975

Cash completes his autobiography, The Man in Black, in the same year that Lefty Frizzell, Cousin Jody, George Morgan, Hank Williams' widow Audrey and promoter Oscar Davis all die; Marty Robbins, Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Hank Williams Jr. and Elvis Presley are all hospitalized; and Robert Altman's satirical film Nashville is released.

Mideast oil embargo finally catches up with music business: oil prices quadruple, causing gasoline shortages and skyhigh prices that curtail touring, along with vinyl shortages that restrict record pressing. Older catalog (and older artists) are the first to feel effects of this recession.

Other 1975 Info:

First autobiography, The Man In Black (now out of print). It eventually sells an estimated 1.3 million copies.

Oct. 11, 1975

Look at Them Beans enters C&W chart, hits No. 38, featuring title tune single (C&W No. 17).

April 3, 1976

Strawberry Cake enters C&W chart, hits No. 33, featuring title tune single (C&W No. 17).

June 12, 1976

One Piece at a Time by Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Three enters C&W chart, hits No. 2 (for two weeks), his biggest album in four years, featuring title tune 'novelty' single which hits No. 1 (for two weeks), and follow-up "Sold Out of Flagpoles" (No. 29).

Other 1976 Info:

"One Piece At A Time" becomes one of his last hits for a long period. Now considered out of step with country radio, Cash’s radio play and cultural presence declines, despite the fact that his back catalogue and shows continue to sell well.

August, 1976

The Johnny Cash Show taped at the Grand Ole Opry spends four weeks as summer replacement variety series on CBS-TV network.

1977

Columbia chart albums and chart singles include: The Last Gunfighter Ballad (with title tune single); and The Rambler (with "Lady" and "After the Ball").

Jan. 31, 1977

At 4th annual American Music Awards, receives special Award of Merit.

May 13, 1978

I Would Like to See You Again enters C&W chart, hits No. 23, featuring title tune single (C&W No. 12).

Sept. 8, 1979

Silver, commemorating "25 years in the profession," enters C&W chart, hits No. 28, featuring "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky" (C&W No. 2, with Carter Family and Earl Poole Ball, piano); "I'll Say It's True" (C&W No. 42, with George Jones); and "Bull Rider" (C&W No. 66, with Ricky Skaggs and new son-in-law Rodney Crowell, who married Rosanne in 1979).

1980

Rockabilly Blues, late-punk rock era LP distinguished by single of "Without Love," written and produced in London by new son-in-law Nick Lowe (who married Carlene Carter on Aug. 18, 1979), featuring Rockpile members Lowe and Dave Edmunds, guitarist Martin Belmont (of Graham Parker's Rumour), and drummer Pete Thomas (of Elvis Costello's Attractions).

Oct. 13, 1980

CMA Hall of Fame induction announced, at annual awards.

Other 1980 Info :

At the age of 48, becomes the youngest living inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Appears on The Muppet Show as himself.

July 4, 1981

The Baron enters C&W chart, hits No. 24, featuring title tune single (C&W No. 10), which inspires TV movie; and "Mobile Bay" (C&W No. 60).

April 24, 1982

The Survivors, starring Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, enters C&W chart, hits No. 21, live recording at Cash concert in Stuttgart, W. Germany, one year earlier (April 23, 1981), when Lewis and Perkins (also on-tour of festivals at same time) showed up unexpectedly and were asked to perform on second half of Cash show; live tapes edited and mixed by co-producer Rodney Crowell.

Late-1983-1984

Johnny 99, working-class album inspired by Bruce Springsteen title tune and "Highway Patrolman" (both from his 1982 home-recorded acoustic LP, Nebraska); also includes single remake of "I'm Ragged but I'm Right" (C&W No. 75); two from songwriter Paul Kennerley, "That's the Truth" (C&W No. 84) and "Brand New Dance"; and new version of "Joshua Gone Barbados" (Eric Von Schmidt via Tom Rush).

Other 1983 Info:

Cash is attacked on his own game farm by an ostrich; he breaks five ribs and succumbs again to the lure of pills. Cash is hospitalised for internal bleeding due to the corrosive effects of drug abuse; ironically, stomach surgery leads to morphine, and his renewed descent into addiction brings Cash very close to death. He enters the Betty Ford Center shortly thereafter.

June 1, 1985

Highwayman, trend-setting phenomenon starring Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson in various singing combos, enters C&W chart (where it spends 66 weeks) and hits No. 1 and pop chart (where it spends 35 weeks), certified RIAA gold. Features title tune single written by Jimmy Webb (C&W No. 1) and Eagles' "Desperadoes Waiting for a Train" (C&W No. 15).

Other 1985 Info:

Appears as John Brown in TV mini-series North and South. Continues his writing career by publishing a novel, The Man In White, based on the life of Paul the Apostle.

Jan. 27, 1986

Shares "Highwayman" awards for favorite country video, duo/group and favorite country video single at 13th annual American Music Awards.

Feb. 25, 1986

"Highwayman" wins Grammy for Webb for best country song (same night Rosanne Cash wins her one career Grammy to date, as best country vocal, female for "I Don't Know Why You Don't Want Me"), at 28th annual awards. "Highwayman" also voted single of the year at Academy Of Country Music annual awards.

June 21, 1986

Heroes with Waylon Jennings, produced by Chips Moman with liner notes by western movie legend Lash LaRue, one-off on Epic Records after 28 years at Columbia, enters C&W chart, hits No. 13, featuring "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" (C&W No. 35, written by Rodney Crowell).

Same week: Class of '55 Memphis Rock & Roll Homecoming, starring Cash, Lewis, Perkins and Roy Orbison, on Moman's America/Smash label, enters C&W chart, hits No. 15, distinguished by eight-minute all-star closing party on John Fogerty's "Big Train (From Memphis)" with the four singers, June Carter, Rick Nelson, Fogerty, Dave Edmunds, Sam Phillips, the Judds, Marty Stuart and others.

Feb. 24, 1987

Shares Grammy for Interviews From Class of '55 Recording Sessions, voted best spoken word Recording at 29th annual awards.

March, 1987

Johnny Cash Columbia Records 1958-1986 2-LP anthology released, in which Marty Stuart's liner notes reveal Cash recorded some 1,450 titles for label over 28 year tenure.

May 16, 1987

Johnny Cash Is Coming to Town, first LP (of five) for Mercury Records, enters C&W chart, hits No. 36; features "The Night Hank Williams Came to Town" with Waylon Jennings guest vocal (C&W No. 43); "W. Lee O'Daniel (And the Light Crust Dough Boys)" written by James Talley (C&W No. 72), plus "Sixteen Tons" and more.

November 14, 1987

"Tennessee Flat Top Box" by Rosanne Cash (Columbia), produced by her husband Rodney Crowell, update of Johnny's 1961 single, enters C&W chart where it spends 22 weeks and hits No. 1.

1988

Classic Cash Hall of Fame Series (Mercury, produced by Johnny Cash) features new recordings of 20 hits from Sun and Columbia years.

'Til Things Are Brighter (Red Rhino Records), tribute album released to benefit AIDS research, with tracks by Michelle Shocked and others.

Dec. 17, 1988

Water From the Wells of Home (Mercury), enters C&W chart, hits No. 48, featuring "That Old Wheel" duet with Hank Williams Jr. (C&W No. 21), remake of "Ballad of a Teenage Queen" duet with Rosanne Cash and the Everly Brothers (C&W No. 45), plus other duets with Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings with Jessi Colter, June Carter with the Carter Family, Tom T. Hall with Paul McCartney, John Carter Cash, Glen Campbell.

1989

Boom Chicka Boom (Mercury) includes remakes of "Family Bible" and Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle."

1990

Johnny Cash receives the Academy of Country Music's Pioneer Award at annual ceremony.

March 17, 1990

Highwayman 2, one-off on Columbia where Willie Nelson is coming to the end of his 16-year tenure, again co-starring Cash, Jennings and Kristofferson in various singing combos, enters C&W chart (where it spends 47 weeks) and hits No. 4 and pop chart (where it spends 13 weeks). Features "Silver Stallion" (C&W No. 25).

March 16, 1991

Patriot (Columbia) compilation enters C&W chart, hits No. 67, in wake of Gulf War sentiments.

March 23, 1991

The Mystery of Life (Mercury) enters C&W chart, hits No. 70, featuring "Goin' by the Book" (C&W No. 69) and remake of Dylan's "Wanted Man" (originally on Johnny Cash at San Quentin).

1992

J.R. Cash is born in the town of Kingsland, Cleveland County, Ark

The Essential Johnny Cash 1955-1983 (Columbia/Legacy) 3-CD deluxe long-boxed set compilation produced by Gregg Geller, with liner notes by Columbia staff writer Arthur Levy and Bill Flanagan (Musician magazine), presents 75 songs, including 15 seminal Sun sides.

Jan. 15, 1992

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 7th annual ceremonies in New York City.

Other 1992 Info:

Cash is inducted into the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, becoming the only person ever inducted in R&R, Country and Songwriters Halls of Fame.

Feb. 25, 1992

Grammy Legend Award, "for ongoing contributions and influence in the recording field," presented by National Trustees at 34th annual awards.

Oct. 16, 1992

At Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration at Madison Square Garden, Cash and Carter sing "It Ain't Me, Babe," subsequently included on 2-CD live recording and 2-cassette home video packages.

July 24, 1993

Zooropa by U2 enters pop chart, hits No. 1 (for two weeks), featuring Johnny Cash guest vocal on "The Wanderer."

Other 1993 Info:

After an unfruitful series of albums for Mercury, Cash signs with acclaimed rock and hip-hop producer Rick Rubin’s American Records label.

May 14, 1994

American Recordings, simple acoustic roots-radical album debut on hip hop/metal producer Rick Rubin's label of same name, enters C&W chart, hits No. 23 and enters pop chart for nine weeks. Features Cash originals and songs by Nick Lowe ("The Beast in Me"), Kristofferson ("Why Me Lord"), Glenn Danzig ("Thirteen"), Leonard Cohen ("Bird on a Wire"), Tom Waits ("Down There by the Train"), Loudon Wainwright III ("The Man Who Couldn't Cry") and more. Gloomy video for "Delia's Gone" features model Kate Moss and becomes an MTV favorite.

Other 1994 Info:

His Rick Rubin-produced American Recordings provides a career resurgence, introducing Cash to a whole new audience. Recorded in Cash’s cabin and Rubin’s living room, the simplicity of it æ Cash, a guitar, and favourite songs æ is the essence of its appeal. On the cover of the album, Cash is pictured with a dog at each side, one white, one black, that symbolise the struggle he’s faced as he’s "walked the line" throughout his life.

1994

Wanted Man (Mercury) collects 10 tracks from his four-year tenure at the label, featuring singles "The Night Hank Williams Came to Town," "That Old Wheel," "Ballad of a Teenage Queen," "Goin' by the Book," and various album tracks including remake of Bob Dylan title tune.

January 26, 1995

Rolling Stone magazine Critics' Picks issue names Johnny Cash best country artist and comeback of the year for American Recordings.

March 1, 1995

American Recordings wins Grammy for best contemporary folk album at 37th annual awards.

Jan. 27, 1996

Dead Man Walking (Columbia) original motion picture soundtrack, enters pop chart for 13 weeks, with "In Your Mind" by Johnny Cash, track produced by Ry Cooder in Nashville specially for the movie.

Nov. 23, 1996

Unchained (American) enters C&W chart, hits No. 26 and enters pop chart for two weeks. Main backup by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and Marty Stuart, features guests Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers (on "Spiritual"), Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood (on Don Gibson's "Sea of Heartbreak"). Songs also include "Memories Are Made of This," Petty's "Southern Accents," Beck's "Rowboat," Soundgarden's "Rusty Cage," Carter Family's "The Kenneling Drunkard's Plea" and more. Evocative five pages of liner notes written by Cash are his best ever.

Other 1996 Info:

Releases Unchained, also produced by Rubin, and featuring Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as his backing band; it includes a haunting version of Soundgarden’s "Rusty Cage" that furthers his cross-generational appeal.

Fights off a life-threatening bout with double pneumonia.

December, 1996

Johnny Cash is honored at the annual Kennedy Center Awards.

1997

Announces he’s been diagnosed with a rare form of Parkinson’s disease. Appears as "Coyote" on The Simpsons episode "El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer (The Mysterious Voyage of Our Homer)." Publishes his second story of his life, the elliptical Cash: An Autobiography; the main character in Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity claims it’s the best book ever written.

1998

American Recordings label signs distribution pact with Sony Music, as Johnny Cash (in effect) rejoins Columbia family after 15-year absence.

Johnny Cash voted into Hall of Fame in the annual Playboy magazine Music Poll.

Feb. 25, 1998

Unchained wins Grammy for best country album at 40th annual awards.

June 27, 1998

VH1 Storytellers (American) with Willie Nelson, enters C&W, hits No. 25 and enters pop chart for two weeks; from cable music channel acoustic live session broadcast earlier in year, album dominated by Cash material including "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky," "Worried Man," "Family Bible," "Don't Take Your Guns to Town," "Flesh and Blood," "Unchained," "Drive On," "I Still Miss Someone" and "Folsom Prison Blues."

April 6, 1999

TNT cable channel videotapes all-star tribute concert to Johnny Cash at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, to be broadcast 12 days later.

October, 1999

Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison (Columbia/Legacy) begins long-range reissue campaign of new digitally remastered versions of his vintage albums in expanded editions, in this case the 16-song LP of 1968 is augmented with three previously unreleased tracks. Released as part of the inaugural first set of new American Milestones series with similar expanded editions of landmark albums by Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Marty Robbins and Tammy Wynette.

Feb. 23, 2000

Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award is bestowed at 42nd annual ceremonies. His "prolific work," the proclamation states, "truly one of the most influential figures in country music, transcends both generations and musical genres."

June 10, 2000

Love, God, Murder (Columbia/Legacy) enters C&W chart for one week, unique boxed set trilogy of thematically chosen 16-song anthologies, all Columbia material. Liner notes written by June Carter Cash (for Love), Bono of U2 (God), and Quentin Tarantino (Murder), complemented, in turn, by Johnny Cash's own thoughts on each.

Other 2000 Info:

Sony releases a three-CD box set, Love, God, Murder. The thematically organised CDs, chosen by Cash himself, are his favourite themes, and include some rare and unreleased material. Liner notes are provided by June Carter Cash (Love), Bono (God) and Quentin Tarantino (Murder).

In October, Cash announces that his 1997 diagnosis for Shy-Drager Syndrome was in fact incorrect (otherwise, he would be dead by now), and that he does not, in fact, have Parkinson’s either. The Man In Black releases American III: Solitary Man, a stunning collection of originals and reinterpreted songs. His cultural cross-pollination continues, singing songs by Tom Petty, U2, Neil Diamond, Will Oldham and Nick Cave. Guests on the album include Oldham, Petty, Merle Haggard, Sheryl Crow, and always by his side, June Carter Cash. It also features a version of "That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day)," a song with which he won a talent contest in his youth.

July 4, 2000

Johnny Cash Complete Live at San Quentin (Columbia/Legacy) continues American Milestones series as the eight-song LP of 1969 is restored to 17 tracks and original concert sequence; second set in this series features more landmark albums by Johnny Horton, George Jones, Willie Nelson, plus Carter Family compilation.

Nov. 4, 2000

American III: Solitary Man (American) enters C&W chart, hits No. 11 and enters pop chart for four weeks. Guests: Merle Haggard (on "I'm Leavin' Now"), Tom Petty (on his song, "I Won't Back Down" and Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man"), Sheryl Crow, Marty Stuart, Randy Scruggs, Norman Blake and others. Other songs are "Wayfaring Stranger," "That Lucky Old Sun," U2's "One," Nick Cave's "The Mercy Seat," David Alan Coe's "Would You Lay With Me (In a Field Of Stone)" and more.

October, 2001

American Recordings ends 3-year term with Sony Music as they part company (and retain ownership of their Johnny Cash recordings).

Other 2001 Info:

Johnny Cash’s mysterious health problems continue when it is announced that he suffers from autonomic neuropathy, not in fact a disease, but a group of symptoms affecting the central nervous system. While currently vacationing at his winter home in Jamaica, plans are afoot for another Rubin produced follow-up to Solitary Man. "I wouldn’t trade my future for anyone’s," he writes in that album’s liner notes. "The future is not questionable, but for me it is a path of light."

Dec. 11, 2001

Johnny Cash: America (A 200-Year Salute in Story and Song) (1972), and Ragged Old Flag (1974) are released on Columbia/Legacy CD in the U.S. for the first time, after being out-of-print for decades. Release date coincides with two-month observance of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Feb. 12, 2002

The Essential Johnny Cash (Columbia/Legacy and Razor &Tie joint venture release) marks the first comprehensive two-CD/cassette collection to represent his four decades on Sun, Columbia and Mercury labels, climaxes with "The Wanderer" from U2 Zooropa album. Package also signals the launch of major Columbia/Legacy album reissue campaign in honor of his 70th birthday year celebration.

Other 2002 Info

John is nominated for two Grammies. He wins for his contribution in the collaborative ablum, "Timeless". Here he does a stirring version of Hank Williams's "I Dreamed I Saw Momma Last Night".

Feb. 26, 2002

Johnny Cash's 70th birthday.

March 12, 2002

The Fabulous Johnny Cash (1959, his first Columbia LP), Hymns by Johnny Cash (1959, his second Columbia LP), Ride This Train (1960), Orange Blossom Special (1965) and Carryin' On With Johnny Cash and June Carter (1967) reissued by Columbia/Legacy in digitally remastered expanded editions, as 70th birthday year celebration album reissue campaign continues.