The Man Called Cash: The Life, Love, and Faith of an American Legend

There have been many biographies written about Johnny Cash, a couple by him and many by others. Without a doubt, “The Man Called Cash” is the most detailed account of Johnny’s whole life. It even goes as far as to point out Cash’s way of “enhancing” some aspects of his life to make them more interesting to fans and the world. There really was no need for Johnny to do that for his life was enchanting without any enhancements. Any true fan of American music history should check this book out.

Like the songs he sang, Johnny Cash was a man of many passions. Those passions were music, women and his deepest passion, his faith. In “The Man Called Cash” biographer Steve Turner (who has written books about many celebrities including The Beatles) showcases each of these passions along with many discussions with those closest to the Man In Black. Originally commissioned as a co-author with Johnny, Turner gained approval to write the book from the family upon Johnny’s death.

After a rough childhood, Johnny left Arkansas for the Air Force and eventually wrote the first of his hit songs while stationed in Germany where, he and some other friends informally had a group. After returning home Johnny got married to first wife Vivian but always had an eye out for June Carter and when the first marriage dissolved, they got married. There were many ups and downs along the way but the book makes a strong effort to showcase that Johnny’s life was a service of God and that an angel helped revive his career in his later life, that angel was Rick Rubin and the American Recordings series.

Throughout the 90’s Rubin and Cash would go on to produce four CDs (soon to be five), a Box Set and revive his career in front of a new, younger legion of fans. These fans helped helped reaffirm and validate what his mom always told him: "God has big plans for you."

“The Man Called Cash” is an engaging book, one that should be read by every student of music history or fan of music.