Weak And In Pain, He Played Legendary Songs One Last Time

“Hello, I’m Johnny Cash,” is how the legendary Johnny Cash would begin his performances, often setting the stage with his classic “Folsom Prison Blues” from 1955. His final public appearance adhered to this tradition. But before we explore footage of that last show, it’s important to understand the context. Leading up to his last performance on July 5, 2003, Johnny Cash was grappling with severe health issues. By that time, he was significantly weakened, confined to a wheelchair, dealing with facial paralysis, and deeply grieving.

In 1997, Cash was diagnosed with Shy–Drager syndrome, a rare disorder later reclassified as autonomic neuropathy associated with diabetes. Despite his deteriorating health and compromised lungs from pneumonia, Cash continued working with producer Rick Rubin, creating acclaimed albums under Rubin’s American Recordings label. The death of his beloved wife, June Carter Cash, on May 15, 2003, at the age of 73, cast a profound shadow over his final concert, which took place just two months after her passing.

Johnny Cash’s last performance was held at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, near Clinch Mountain. This venue was particularly significant to Cash as it paid homage to his late wife’s musical heritage. June, the daughter of Maybelle Carter of The Carter Family, had been part of this musical legacy since she was ten.

After the original Carter Family stopped recording in 1943, Maybelle and her daughters continued as The Carter Sisters & Mother Maybelle, joining The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in 1950. It was here that June Carter and Johnny Cash first met, both of them married to others at the time. The Carter Family Fold, a combination museum and concert hall, is located on the original Carter family estate.

Let’s reminisce about Johnny and June at their peak:

“Jackson,” written by Billy Edd Wheeler and Jerry Leiber in 1963, was famously performed by Johnny Cash and June Carter in February 1967. They married shortly thereafter on March 1, 1968. The song climbed to No. 2 on the US Country charts and earned them a Grammy in 1968 for Best Country & Western Performance Duet, Trio, or Group.

Johnny Cash’s final performance at the Carter Family Fold, despite his battle with laryngitis, stands as a testament to his indomitable spirit, immense musical contributions, and enduring love for June Carter Cash. His performance, though hindered by illness, showcases his unwavering commitment and legacy.

A notable moment in the opening scenes features John Carter Cash, the son of Johnny and June, assisting his father. John Carter Cash is a musician and producer in his own right. Johnny Cash passed away on September 12, 2003, merely four months after June. Let’s pay tribute with one more song from the man in black: