Fatigued and hurting, he serenaded the audience with legendary songs one more time

Hi, I’m Johnny Cash,” is how the iconic Johnny Cash would kick off his performances, and his final public appearance followed this tradition. Reflecting on the footage of that ultimate show, it’s crucial to consider the circumstances. On July 5, 2003, despite significant health adversities, Cash graced the stage for the ultimate time. At that point, he was maneuvering life in a wheelchair, battling facial paralysis, and mourning deeply. In 1997, he had received a diagnosis of Shy–Drager syndrome, later attributed to autonomic neuropathy linked to diabetes. Even as his health deteriorated and his lungs were affected by pneumonia, Cash persevered in collaborating with producer Rick Rubin, unveiling acclaimed albums under Rubin’s American Recordings label. His cherished wife, June Carter Cash, had departed on May 15, 2003, merely two months before his final gig.

Johnny Cash’s farewell performance unfolded at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, close to Clinch Mountain. This location held a special place in Cash’s heart as a homage to his wife June Carter Cash’s lineage. June, the daughter of Maybelle Carter, a member of The Carter Family, esteemed pioneers of country music, had been immersed in this musical legacy since her early years.

The Carter Family Fold serves as a fusion of a museum and a concert hall, situated on the original estate of the Carter family. Following the cessation of the original Carter Family’s recordings in 1943, Maybelle and her daughters persisted as The Carter Sisters & Mother Maybelle and were inducted into The Grand Ole Opry in 1950, where June first encountered Johnny Cash.

“Jackson,” a renowned piece crafted by Billy Edd Wheeler and Jerry Leiber in 1963, was famously interpreted by Johnny Cash and June Carter in 1967, eventually leading to their union on March 1, 1968. The track peaked at No. 2 on the US Country charts and secured them a Grammy in 1968 for Best Country & Western Performance Duet, Trio, or Group.

Johnny Cash’s concluding performance at the Carter Family Fold, despite grappling with laryngitis, symbolized his enduring resilience, his substantial musical contributions, and his enduring love for June Carter Cash. Though hindered by ailments, his display underscored his steadfast dedication and legacy.

A poignant moment in the initial scenes depicts John Carter Cash, the son of Johnny and June, lending a helping hand to his father. John Carter Cash, also a musician and producer, embodied the continued musical legacy of his esteemed parents. Johnny Cash bid farewell on September 12, 2003, a mere four months after June. Let’s pay tribute to him with one more tune from the Man in Black.