Over a 50-year career, celebrated photographer Jim Marshall shot hundreds of legendary images. One such photo is that of Johnny Cash giving the finger during his 1969 San Quentin State Prison show. It’s an iconic image, one of those you’ve seen countless times, but never get tired of. It’s just that perfect.
And now we get to know the story of how such a famous/infamous photo came to be.
A greater power must have decided the world needed a musical pick-me-up, which has arrived courtesy of a lost duet featuring Johnny Cash and Ray Charles that has been released for the first time.
Why Me, Lord? was written by Kris Kristofferson, with Cash on lead vocals and Charles providing backup vocals, according to Billboard.com. Recorded in 1981, the song was intended for release on a Johnny Cash album, but it ultimately didn’t show up anywhere.
Apple‘s iTunes has sold it’s 10 billionth song when consumer, 71-year-old Louie Sulcer purchased the Johnny Cash song, “Guess Things Happen That Way,” today. As the 10 billionth consumer, Sulcer has also received a $10,000 gift card from iTunes – an enticing factor which swayed consumers to buy a few more songs than usual this past week.
However, what’s more interesting is the fact that the top most downloaded songs of all time greatly contrast the genre and era of the winner’s choice. Although iTunes was only launched in 2003, the songs that made the top 20 don’t necessarily represent the wide spectrum of music fiends. Take a look below to see what we’re talking about.
Hot Dang! Guitar Hero just stepped it up a notch in my book. It turns out the next edition of the popular video game will feature another music legend. Johnny Cash may have passed on a few years ago, but he’s been reborn for the release of Guitar Hero 5. Even though I’m excited about this, I’m not sure he would be if he was alive today. He didn’t seem like the video game type if you know what I mean.
View the game’s trailer and Cash’s character specialties after the jump…
I can only imagine what it was like to discover Bob Dylan for the first time in the 1960’s, but I think I had a similar experience at Jack Savoretti’s gig at the Hotel Café last week. I was completely lost in the 23-year-old singer-songwriter’s lyrics of evocative travels and lovers lost. His voice is a mixture of joy one moment and then agonizing pain the next. Jack Savoretti’s music takes you on a journey across the world through his eyes. He is like a novel that must be read. It is no exaggeration or misappropriation to say that he is undoubtedly the Bob Dylan of the 21st Century.
Joaquin Phoenix announced to TV’s Extra on Monday that he is retiring from acting to pursue music. After learning to sing and play guitar for his Oscar-nominated role as Johnny Cash in 2005′s Walk the Line, it appears that he is super-serious about this turn in his career.
“Phoenix, who was curiously being followed by his own camera crews, reiterated, “Yeah. I’m working on my music. I’m done. I’ve been through that.”"
It is said that he has already collaborated to some extent with UK band The Charlatans, but it has not yet been confirmed if that is where the majority of his efforts will be directed. Fans of Phoenix might think with an inkling of hope that he’s not serious – that perhaps it’s a flight of fancy, a blip on the radar of consideration. But at this point and time, it doesn’t sound like the actor is joking or throwing around dismissive phrase for publicity.
