Cash: The Autobiography by Johnny Cash, Patrick Carr

Reviewed by Dave Brassington

Following on from his very well received 1975 autobiography Man In Black which sold 200,000 copies in hardback (quite staggering!), I suppose it was high time the Johnny Cash story was updated. 20 years later and at an age when he is almost regarded as a father figure in country music, this is a much more reflective book. There is obviously some overlap as no story of Cash could not major on his early days at Sun Records, the highs and lows of his career, and how he has remained an icon of country music, despite not having had many hit records these past few years. The problem with any book like this is it can quickly become out of date. Both Carl Perkins and Helen Carter were alive when the book was written, nor is there any mention of Johnny's current health problems with Parkinson's Disease. Last heard of, Johnny will continue to record, but whether he will ever tour again is open to question. The book evokes a lot of memories of his early childhood in Dyess, Arkansas, and his close friendships with such as Carl Perkins, Waylon Jennings, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Billy Graham, the great American evangelist. Johnny's deep Christian faith comes through, as does the part played by June Carter in rescuing his life and career. Johnny describes her as "his great prayer warrior". Two personal memories; the recounting of the terrible death of his younger brother Jack in a tragic farming accident, whilst I had read it before in Man In Black still makes harrowing reading, you could never read this and listen to 'Five Feet High And Rising' without being truly moved! Also he confirms something that I had often thought, that Anita Carter possesses the best and purest country voice of any female singer in country music. Why she never became a major star is a big mystery. It says in the book that she is unlikely to tour again due to ill health. Sadly Helen, the other Carter sister, has now passed away but at least June is still active and has released a new album. In my opinion a great book by the singer who first introduced me to country music and whose music I have enjoyed for over 40 years.