Exhausted, He Performed Iconic Tunes One Final Time

“Hello, I’m Johnny Cash,” became the unmistakable phrase that marked the beginning of Johnny Cash’s legendary performances, leading into his timeless track “Folsom Prison Blues,” released in 1955. This iconic opening continued during his last public appearance. Before we look at the footage of that final show, it’s important to understand the circumstances surrounding it.

In the lead-up to his last performance on July 5, 2003, Cash was wrestling with considerable health challenges. By this time, he was frail, often using a wheelchair, suffering from facial paralysis, and mourning the loss of his beloved wife.

In 1997, Johnny Cash was diagnosed with Shy–Drager syndrome, later deemed to be autonomic neuropathy associated with his diabetes. Even as his health declined and he faced complications from pneumonia, he remained dedicated to his music, collaborating with producer Rick Rubin and releasing highly praised albums under the American Recordings label. Tragically, June Carter Cash passed away on May 15, 2003, just two months before his final concert, adding a profound sense of grief to that performance.

Johnny Cash’s last show was held at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, near Clinch Mountain—an area rich with significance for him, paying tribute to the musical legacy of the Carter family. June, his late wife, was the daughter of Maybelle Carter from The Carter Family, who were influential figures in the roots of country music alongside A.P. Carter and Sara Carter. June had been involved in this musical lineage since childhood.

Following the original Carter Family’s end of recording in 1943, Maybelle and her daughters formed The Carter Sisters & Mother Maybelle, joining The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in 1950. It was in this vibrant setting that June and Johnny first met, both already in other marriages. The Carter Family Fold serves as both a museum and concert space on the family’s original estate.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on Johnny and June during their illustrious career:

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

Despite the challenge of laryngitis during his final performance at the Carter Family Fold, Johnny Cash’s enduring spirit and substantial musical legacy shone through. His commitment to his craft, even in the face of illness, is a testament to his character and love for June Carter Cash.

A poignant moment in the opening scenes of the concert features John Carter Cash, the son of Johnny and June, helping his father. John Carter Cash is also a musician and producer. Johnny Cash passed away on September 12, 2003, just four months after June. Let us honor his memory with one last song from the man in black: