Johnny Cash

The Life

By: Robert Hilburn

Narrated by: Charles Pittard

The national bestseller celebrated as "the ultimate Johnny Cash biography . . . Rock writer great Robert Hilburn goes deep." -- Rolling Stone

In this, the definitive biography of an American legend, Robert Hilburn conveys the unvarnished truth about a musical superstar. Johnny Cash's extraordinary career stretched from his days at Sun Records with Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis to the remarkable creative last hurrah, at age 69, that resulted in the brave, moving "Hurt" video.

As music critic for the Los Angeles Times, Hilburn knew Cash throughout his life: he was the only music journalist at the legendary Folsom Prison concert in 1968, and he interviewed both Cash and his wife June Carter just months before their deaths. Drawing upon a trove of never-before-seen material from the singer's inner circle, Hilburn creates an utterly compelling, deeply human portrait of a towering figure in country music, a seminal influence in rock, and an icon of American popular culture. Hilburn's reporting shows the astonishing highs and deep lows that marked the journey of a man of great faith and humbling addiction who throughout his life strove to use his music to lift people's spirits.

the last half is amazing

This made me love Cash even more. Always wanted info on the Rick Rubin years, and thus delivered

Histoic & Humbling.

Embodies one of Americas beloved Air Force Veterans life from past present and his undying legacy. John coped with and endured physical,spiritual,and other forms of pain. Hurt, fourty prescription medications prevented Cash from living an additional 7 years...

life changing book!

loved it. if you start this book, it will be like falling into a burning ring of fiery biographical awesomeness that you will not be able to escape from.

Grace Wins

I have been captivated by this listen! As a longtime Johnny Cash fan, it is incredible to learn so much detail about his story. I knew the gist, but not all of it. The author takes us through the story in a way that has sparked my curiosity. I've done a lot of side researching, googling images, and pausing to go to YouTube and listen to songs and full albums. This is a fascinating look into the world of recording studios and record labels; there's so much about the industry I never understood until this book. I love the details of Cash's relationship to other artists of several eras and with his own band mates.

Cash is a great example of how history is dotted with some spectacular humans who accomplish unbelievable feats of talent, artistry, and grit in their lifetime. In Johnny Cash's example, he kept the faith, despite many ups and downs, and produced untold amounts of cultural capital.

The performance is good, but there are some funny bits where you can tell the recording was spliced. He also pronounces words with t's in the middle in a very funny and precise way. Definitely not a big deal, but certainly idiosyncratic. I really liked when he read quotes of Johnny Cash - he truly captured Cash's real voice.

THE Man

loved the book. alot of stories i never knew. Johnny Cash is an American Icon.