Johnny Cash: The Man in Black(American Rebels)

When country music legend Johnny Cash took the stage at Folsom State Prison in 1968, he solidified the public's perception of him as a rebel who followed his own path. Born in Arkansas during the Great Depression, Cash endured poverty, the death of his older brother, and a difficult relationship with his father. He turned to gospel and country music to express the pain, and after many years of struggling, his songs of hardship and hope would finally reach the ears of those waiting for an artist who represented them, ordinary people fighting to survive.

Review :
Johnny Cash was and remains a giant in the genre of country music. His life story is presented for young adults as part of a series called "American Rebels." Cash was born in 1932 in Arkansas. Since his parents could not concur on a name, he was dubbed J. R. Life was hard for the family, but became better in 1935 when they received land, a house and livestock in the newly established town of Dyess, Arkansas. Music became an important part of J.R.'s life through church and listening to the radio. The tragedy of his brother Jack's death was a primary motivation for Cash to begin writing songs. His mother took in laundry so that J.R. could have voice lessons. After high school he enlisted in the United States Air Force where his legal name became John Ray Cash. His first marriage to Vivian Liberto followed his discharge. They moved to Memphis so Johnny could pursue a career in the music business. Eventually, in 1955, he and two friends broke into recording and J.R. became the legendary Johnny Cash. Drug and alcohol abuse and a bitter divorce from Liberto accompanied Cash's rise in popularity. For the rest of his life he continued to struggle with addiction, though his marriage to June Carter helped to keep him on a more even keel. His career suffered many ups and downs, with a concert at Folsom State Prison in 1968 being the start of one great comeback. Color photographs accompany the text to illustrate important milestones in Cash's career. Many extras add to the book's usefulness for obtaining more information for possible biography/history research or just learning more about Cash. These include a detailed timeline, a list of all of Cash's recordings, a glossary, chapter notes on sources used by the author, other titles about and by Cash, Internet sources and an index. Though listed as an unauthorized biography, purchase is advisable if needed to round out a collection., Children's Literature