It almost seems strong to believe that the domain has been miss the pillar - like presence ofJohnny Cashfor more than 20 age now . hard cash wasa foundational land music star , of course , but he was so much more than that round-eyed pigeonhole of a description . In fact , when it came to Cash , he was brilliant at transcending any of the labelshe attracted throughout his life , whether they related to his onstage skills or the way he became a cultural material body even without a guitar in his hand .

Yes , Johnny Cash played body politic medicine , but he did so with the superpower , military group and bearing of a rocker who deliver the goods the deference of other rocker likeTom Petty , Chris Cornell andTrent Reznorthrough the posture of hisAmerican Recordingswith Hip Hop producer extraordinaire Rick Rubin . Cash also serve in the Air Force , was subsequently the erratic high-risk boy who kicked drugs and found religious belief , became a novelist and ordained minister , andwas an actor on various television shows(including a guest appearance onThe Simpsons ) . Throughout his career , Cash also went by the moniker the " Man in Black . "

Origins Of A Nickname

Cash With A Cause

Now why did Cash go by this title ? Well , the exact origins of " Man in Black " are a bit blurry . Some saythat Cash wear a smuggled shirt because he wanted to reckon " fresh " before his first performanceat a Memphis church service , and continued to garnish that way for beneficial luck . Others say Cash wanted to match his bandmates onstage in the Tennessee Two , and the only thing they all mutually possess in those early days of do were fateful shirt . Wherever it begin , the popularity of his wearing apparel hire off .

When Cash come along onThe Mike DouglasShowin 1971 , he addressed the moniker , excuse " mass were always asking my why I bear black . I ’ve worn inglorious fundamentally ever since I ’ve been in the music clientele . But I never did really do the reporters when they asked that question . ”

And while black was not always Cash ’s world-wide pick of outfit color throughout his life , career , and tardy eld , the stances associated with the decision were very much in sync with Cash ’s form ofusing his fame to give a voice to the voiceless . In fact , Cash even wrote a 1971 protest song titled " Man in Black " to explicate this as well .

Johnny Cash (Boyd Holbrook) with a cigarette in his mouth gives Bob Dylan a look as he stands in front of parked cars

The Man In Black

Speakin' On Speakin' Out

With the Vietnam Warstill dress down amidst riotous times , Cash wrote the Sung dynasty " Man in Black " for a 1971 album of the same name , with many of the songs focus on the current upshot and political difficulties of the early ' 70s . During his first performance of the track on the programme he hosted calledThe Johnny Cash Show , Cash stated he ’d been inspired to pen the call after feature conversation with regular people about what was going on in the world . And reflecting on the lyrics , it ’s well-heeled to see Cash ’s pen reflect through the eyes of the masses .

Why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone .

Well , there ’s a reason for the thing that I have on .

Billy Joel holding out his arm, flanked by The Masked Singer’s Ken Jeong and Rita Ora

I get into the total darkness for the poor and the beaten down ,

Livin ' in the hopeless , athirst side of Ithiel Town ,

I wear it for the captive who has long pay for his crime ,

johnny-cash-kid-cole-doctor-quinn-medicine-woman - Edited

But is there because he ’s a victim of the times .

I fag out the black for those who never read ,

Or listened to the Good Book that Jesus said ,

Johnny Cash album cover

About the route to happiness through love and charity ,

Why , you ’d cogitate He ’s talking directly to you and me .

immediate payment would never be a stranger when it come to speaking out and elevating the struggles of regular the great unwashed in this manner . Over the years , he became involved in prison reform , put down an record album supporting aboriginal American rights calledBitter Tears , and frequently reflect on the consequences of warfare , the soldiers affect , and the genial and physical wounds they carried as a result .

After the event designate in A Complete Unknown , Johnny Cash continued his successful musical career and persist friends with Bob Dylan until his death .

Cash could also be patriotic in song he wrote about his country , butwas never shy about speaking up against the injustices he go through . He was truly a " gentleman in Black " for the people , whose signature baritone still leave a hole in the cosmos even over 20 years after .