September 12, 2003
Johnny Cash Has Left the Building
Johnny Cash died today at the age of 71. I was never a great fan, not being able to connect fully with his somewhat tragic sense of life, but I really admired his musicality. I met the man briefly, some time around 1973. My stepfather was a country DJ at the time, and we were living in Memphis, where I spent most of my childhood. My dad took me backstage at a Grand Ole Opry show which was taking place in Memphis, on the road from its home in Nashville. I vividly remember being introduced to Grandpa Jones who, despite his avuncular public demeanor, was a cold SOB, refusing this 7 year old boy the pleasure of holding his banjo while his dad snapped a photo. Awkward moment, that.
Johnny Cash, who looked 20 feet tall to me, was by contrast a surprisely warm, friendly giant, who surprised me further by handing me his guitar unasked, when it came my turn for my dad to pester him for a photo together. I tell you, these may seem trivial things, but to a 7 year old boy they mean the world.
And yes, he was wearing black. I remembered this later when, emulating him and Marty Robbins, I found myself imitating their sartorial habits for a memorable span of my adulthood. He will be missed.
Posted by Russell Whitaker at September 12, 2003 10:56 PM | TrackBack