Johnny Cash

Almost coincidentally I got to know quite a lot about Johnny Cash lately. First, someone pointed me towards his autobiography as a great read, and then last weekend a documentary was on about his life.

I must say, when one says you cannot underestimate his influence, that seems like an enormous understatement to me. Perhaps it wasn't so much for the Man in Black's sound but the overall image he had he was what he has been to modern-days music. It is not only his impressive baritone which makes him so appealing, also the story of his life, the power in him. Overcoming several addictions, touching subjects no-one else would, singing old classic country-songs as well as unexpected covers on his American albums.

He was a strong personality after all, and as his autobiography showed, he had a great sense of relativity too, an enormous humbleness. He would not overestimate anything he did himself and was able to see the positive side on every bad thing that happened to him. Qualities found far too little in artists these days.

Johnny Cash, a truly admirable man...