Summary
Highlights
The documentary opens with Johnny Cash's iconic performance of 'Folsom Prison Blues,' highlighting his powerful message and connection with prisoners. Fellow artists and family members, including Emmylou Harris, John Carter Cash, and Rosanne Cash, reflect on the significance of the Folsom Prison concert, describing it as a distillation of Johnny's life, a raw and authentic expression that resonated with audiences due to its themes of sin, salvation, and redemption. Bruce Springsteen emphasizes Cash's blend of 'Saturday night, Sunday morning' in his music.
Johnny Cash recounts his humble beginnings working on a farm, plowing with mules and picking cotton. He describes how the radio became his escape, introducing him to artists like the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers, whose songs about 'trouble' resonated deeply. His son, John Carter Cash, notes that the radio provided an escape and a connection to characters from his father's life, like Jimmie Rodgers who sang about drifters. Cash's early writing emulated these folk songs, driven by a desire to understand himself and his place in the world.
Cash reveals his strained relationship with his father, who discouraged his musical aspirations. He then shares the profound impact of his older brother, Jack, who encouraged his singing. The narrative pivots to the tragic death of Jack in a sawmill accident, an event that deeply affected Cash. He describes the visceral memory of his father's rare display of emotion and Jack's dying words, which spoke of angels and a beautiful river. This loss solidified his commitment to singing gospel music, linking it to spiritual power and healing.
Bruce Springsteen and John Carter Cash discuss the religious and spiritual undertones that were integral to Johnny Cash's identity and music, specifically noting how the Folsom Prison setlist reflected his life's struggles. Rosanne Cash emphasizes her father's use of music to work through his deepest pains on stage. Crowell adds that the redemptive quality in the 'Folsom Prison' album's narrative is tied to his brother's death and Cash's choice to pursue music and spirituality. Cash himself describes how music, especially gospel, became his refuge in dark times.
Cash recounts leaving home after high school, working in a Pontiac factory, and then joining the Air Force, where he learned Russian code. Overseas, at 19, he felt isolated. Watching the movie 'Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison' inspired him to write 'Folsom Prison Blues,' relating his Air Force experience to the lives of prisoners and adopting the persona of a criminal. He chose to pursue music over a military career, desiring to marry and build a family, and seeing music as his true calling.
Upon returning from the Air Force, Cash settled in Memphis, aspiring to make records. He met Marshall Grant and Luther Perkins, forming a musical trio. He recounts the early days jamming on the porch and encountering Elvis Presley. Sam Phillips at Sun Records, initially hesitant about gospel music, encouraged Cash to develop his own material. Cash describes the creation of his distinctive sound, achieved by placing paper in his guitar strings, creating a unique, sparse sound that set him apart from other artists. His songwriting ability, focusing on succinct narratives and clear language, was key to his success, drawing a wide audience from country to pop.
Cash reflects on the growing friction between his music career and his home life, acknowledging that his dedication to music often came at the expense of his family. Rosanne Cash speaks about her mother's struggle to cope with his burgeoning career, the fear, confusion, and sense of loss she experienced as he drifted away. The relentless touring schedule led to an introduction to amphetamines and barbiturates, prescribed by doctors, to cope with exhaustion. This marked the beginning of his struggle with drug addiction, which worsened in the late 1950s and early 1960s, further straining his marriage and terrifying his wife, Vivian.
The song 'Ring of Fire' is discussed as an autobiographical reflection of Cash's struggles with desire and addiction, despite being co-written by June Carter. Cash recounts June Carter joining his show in '62 and his immediate, deeper attraction to her. June's background in the famous Carter Family is highlighted, emphasizing her respected reputation and ambition. June herself describes her early acting dreams and finding artistic partnership with Cash, despite his marital status. The segment then features a performance of 'Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?', showcasing the spiritual depth of their collaboration and Cash's continuing artistic and spiritual search, separating him from other artists of his time.
Cash's artistic evolution led him to explore desert themes and myths of the West and to define his image as a rambler, brakeman, patriot, and frontiersman. He recorded a number of concept albums in the 60s, including 'Ride This Train' and 'Blood, Sweat and Tears'. His album 'Ballads of the American Indians' stands out as a significant piece of social commentary, where he spoke out against past and ongoing injustices towards minorities, challenging antisemitism, anti-Black racism, anti-immigrant sentiment, and the near genocide of Native Americans. The song 'Long Black Veil' is used to illustrate his ability to represent the underdog and connect with Christian world views, despite resistance from radio stations.
Johnny Cash recalls his turbulent past, including a notorious incident at the Grand Ole Opry where he damaged equipment while under the influence. He speaks of being arrested seven times in the 60s and the breakdown of his first marriage due to his addictions. His near-death experience in a cave, where June Carter found him, served as a turning point, making him want to live. This led to his determined decision to record a live album at a prison, leading to 'Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison'. After the album's success, he became the mythical 'Man in Black,' symbolizing redemption and becoming an activist for prison reform and speaking out against war, further solidifying his image and his relationship with June Carter.
In 1969, Johnny Cash launched his ABC television show, showcasing his sobriety and featuring guests like the Carter Family and Carl Perkins. The show was praised for bringing 'real music' to television and for Cash's daring inclusion of diverse artists. He faced backlash from groups like the KKK for embracing Black artists like Charley Pride, highlighting his commitment to social justice despite the danger. His son, John Carter Cash, speaks about growing up during a period of stability in his father's life, contrasting it with his older sisters' experiences. Rosanne Cash addresses the complexities of her parents' relationship, acknowledging the pain and chaos her father caused, but also his desire for redemption prompted by his brother Jack's death.
Cash shares how his late brother, Jack, continued to be a guiding light in his life, and an unexpected minister. His son, John Carter Cash, reflects on his father's capacity for forgiveness, particularly towards his own father. Filmmaker Robert Duvall observes Cash's artistic quest for connection between the human and the divine. Cash openly discusses his commitment to gospel music, performing at Billy Graham crusades, and his focus on family in the 1970s. Despite a lack of major hits, he found joy in being a father. However, the early 80s brought a return to addiction and marital difficulties, leading to a period of artistic apathy where he felt he was 'burlesquing himself' and believed his career was over.
Cash's career entered a decline in the 1980s and early 90s, with sparse audiences and a lack of support from record labels. This led to a profound sense of despair, symbolized by him throwing his career artifacts into a lake, a 'baptism' signaling a need for renewal. In 1992, Rick Rubin approached him, offering a unique recording opportunity: acoustic sessions in a living room, focusing solely on Cash's voice and his chosen songs. This collaboration led to the acclaimed 'American Recordings' album, which brought a new generation of fans and reignited Cash's passion. Rubin chose the acoustic recordings for their raw authenticity, revitalizing Cash's career and starting a new chapter of late-career success.
The success of the acoustic album led to further collaborations with Rubin, incorporating a backing band featuring artists like Tom Petty and Mike Campbell. Bruce Springsteen and others praise Cash's incredible, unique voice, which matured with age, conveying emotional depth and reflection. Cash expresses his profound love and gratitude for June, calling her 'the greatest woman I've ever known,' who supported him through his darkest times. After June's passing, Cash, though wheelchair-bound and in immense pain, continued to record daily, finding purpose and following the 'light' of music. The documentary concludes with reflections connecting music, spirituality, and the human spirit, echoing Cash's profound impact and his lingering question about the afterlife, ending with 'We'll Meet Again'.