Remembering the great Johnny Cash on the anniversary of his death

(RNN) – Legendary country music performer Johnny Cash died 14 years ago on Sept. 12, 2003 at the age of 71.

That’s a long time ago, but parents still tell their children to hush when Cash comes on the radio.

The Man in Black was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. His work meshed country music, rock, gospel and blues. One of his most  captivating songs, “Ring of Fire,” included a chorus of mariachi horns that he said came to him in a dream. And it worked.

Nobel Laureate and fellow music legend Bob Dylan was one of his biggest fans. Cash brought Dylan to a mainstream audience by having him appear on his hit TV show in 1969.

That song was written by his future wife June Carter, who was wrestling with having fallen in love with a wild and dangerous man.

Cash battled drug addiction in the early 1960s and his career faltered, but once he married June Carter, he settled down. The classic album “Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison” revived his career in 1968. It was the perfect venue for his music, typified by driving, freight-train rhythm and often addressing dark, taboo subjects.

He reached a younger generation with his cover of “Hurt” by Trent Reznor and an unforgettable video released the year before he died.

What’s your favorite Johnny Cash song? Here are a few of ours:

Copyright 2017 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.