In honor of the Man in Black, Mental Notes posted the story behind his hit “A Boy Named Sue,” which I recall hearing occasionally on WMAQ; if it wasn’t WGN, Dad would have this Chicago-based Country station on when he dropped us off at school. I was surprised to discover who the song’s writer was too.
As for Johnny Cash, he was alright be me in my book. During my more rigid years with music, Johnny earned a grudging pass unlike other Country performers because Blondie and Wall of Voodoo covered his hit “Ring of Fire.” Plus he was admired by artists in my camp: Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, etc. I had a weak spot for Johnny’s talented daughter Roseanne too. Not sure why with the latter since her Seventies and Eighties material has the Nash-Vegas factory sound all over it. Then comes his rather weird appearance on SNL during the early Eighties. Cash had appeared in movies so he was a natural to be pulling the rare double duty as host and musical guest, Sting and Paul Simon are the only guests coming to mind, I’m confident there are many others.