Prime Minister declares National Johnny Cash day

by M. Zygoat

Prime Minister John Howard today declared a national day of mourning to mark the death of country music legend Johnny Cash, who passed away last week at the age of 71. Mr. Howard announced that September 13 will henceforth be National Johnny Cash day.

"Johnny Cash was a truly great Australian, and today we celebrate his inspirational life," he said in his speech to the Parliament.

He said Cash had been a champion of the common people and had tirelessly campaigned for human rights all his life. "He made all Australians proud to call Memphis home."

Cash was born in Arkansas in 1932 and his early life was tinged with tragedy. At the age of 17 he joined the airforce and was stationed in Germany during the war. He learnt how to play guitar, and in 1955 found his way to Memphis and the Sun records label, where he worked with Elvis Presley and legendary rockers Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis.

He soon established himself in Nashville, and became known as The Man In Black.



Johnny Cash standing in front of an Australian flag

His songs dealt with social issues and highlighted the plights of poor people and social outcasts. He began performing in prisons, as part of a campaign for penal reform.

He was also responsible for giving Bob Dylan and Kris Kristofferson early career breaks.

"He was the original Aussie Battler," an emotional Mr. Howard said, before reading the lyrics from some of Cash's songs, including Folsom Prison Blues, where he changed the words to "I shot a man in Baghdad/Just to watch him die."

"I know he was proud of what Australia did in Iraq," Mr. Howard, who was a personal friend of Mr. Cash, said.

He also said he had sent a letter of condolence to his friend George W. Bush, the President of Australia.

Posted by Martin Zygote at September 22, 2003 04:32 PM