Watch Country Legend Johnny Cash’s Final Performance

The plaque at the Country Music Hall Of Fame enshrining Johnny Cash reads:

Songwriter, historian, fighter of causes, friend to the deprived and troubled, friend of great men, a leader in the temporal world, and follower in the spiritual world, Johnny Cash is the total entertainer. An internationally famous performer, he carries his love for his country and for country music around the world The Man In Black retains his roots in the soil as he grows in conscience and integrity, He is one of the world’s most beloved and honored stars.

Cash entered the Country Music Hall Of Fame in 1980, 22 years before his death on this date in 2003. Regarded as one of the definitive figures in country music history, Cash epitomized the brooding, outlaw figure in both song and demeanor.

One of the finest songwriters of any genre, Cash wrote many classic country music songs, like “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line,” “Big River,” “Get Rhythm,” and “Hey, Porter.” Cash also helped popularize songs written by others, such as “Ring Of Fire,” “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Orange Blossom Special” and more, including late-career albums recorded with Rick Rubin that featured contemporary songs like Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt.”

Johnny Cash’s final public performance came on July 5, 2003, just a few months before his death at age 71. The 30-minute set took place at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia and saw him backed by his son, John Carter Cash on vocals, Jerry Hensley on guitar and Bobby Starnes on bass.

Johnny Cash, frail and mourning the recent death of his wife June Carter Cash, nonetheless began the set with his familiar, “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash” introduction. He then proceeded to play “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line,” “Ring of Fire,” “Big River” and Kris Kristofferson’s “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.”

The set also featured “Angel Band,” which Emmylou Harris sang by request at June Carter Cash’s funeral. The set ended with Johnny Cash’s first performance of “Understand Your Man” in 25 years.

On the 20th anniversary of the Man In Black’s passing, watch Johnny Cash’s final performance below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvhQcyUwXN8