Johnny Cash was one of those entertainers who was in a class of his own. When he was in concert, he would get up in front of the crowd, introduce himself by saying “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash” and then begin with Folsom Prison Blues.
You could always count on Johnny Cash to give an excellent performance, and he was that way until the very end. In fact, the last time he performed in public was just as amazing as the first time.
Many people knew that Johnny Cash was dealing with a very difficult time in the early 2000s. He had a number of health problems that had plagued him for quite some time and he was in a wheelchair. His face was experiencing partial paralysis and he was mourning the loss of his wife.
That was in 2003, and it had been only six years since he was diagnosed with Shy–Drager syndrome. That neurodegenerative disease would cause him a lot of pain and difficulties, but eventually, it was shown to be a type of neuropathy because of diabetes.
In any case, his health was going downhill. He was still recording music and releasing albums, but he had lost his wife on May 15, 2003 and his final concert was only two months after she died.
When you see him in his final performance at the Carter Family Fold in Virginia, you will understand why he was such a superstar. He got up there and sang, giving a performance that is not soon to be forgotten.
