It's a sad day at randomness. June Carter Cash has passed away. June is being eulogized today as Johnny's wife but she was so, so much more. She was brilliant songwriter, a top-notch actress and a tireless humanitarian.
She was also John R. Cash's saviour. Quite literally. I have no doubt that the world would have been robbed of Johnny many moons ago if not for June. Their love was legendary and obvious to anyone who watched them for even a moment. As Johnny wrote in his brilliant 1997 autobiography...
June said she knew me -- knew the kernel of me, deep inside, beneath the drugs and deceit and despair and anger and selfishness, and knew my loneliness. She said she could help me. ... If she found my pills, she flushed them down the toilet. And find them she did; she searched for them, relentlessly.
I had the small miracle of once seeing June in Phipps Plaza in Atlanta. I don't normally bother "stars" but I simply had to say hello. It was like she was my grandmother. She was kind and funny and self-effacing. I'll never forget that moment.
Here's June in one of her spunkiest and funniest bits. The intro always makes me laugh. "I'm talkin' with my mouth, it's way up here!" (right-click, save target as)
This turn with Johnny and Sheryl Crow seems very fitting today. (right-click, save target as)
My biggest fear is that Johnny, who has his own well-documented health problems, will lose his spirit now. Really. They were that strong together.
We saw houses falling from the sky
Where the mountains lean down to the sand
We saw blackbirds circling 'round an old castle keep
And I stood on the cliff and held your hand
We walked troubles brooding wind swept hills
And we loved and we laughed the pain away
At the end of the journey, when our last song is sung
Will you meet me in Heaven someday
J.R. Cash
Posted by mikewolf at May 16, 2003 09:24 AMI also had the fortune of seeing June play at the Cotton Club in Atlanta about four years ago. It was an amazing experience. She was funny and so excited to be playing. Her whole family was onstage with her. Including Johnny for a short time.
Posted by: mrw on May 16, 2003 09:37 AMThey sure seemed to be a good unit, eh? I'm all for individuality, but when there's that complimenting bit going on, it really does end up larger than the sum of two. Hear hear to partnerships of love!
Posted by: dean on May 16, 2003 10:28 AMstealing my own post to a mailing list I'm on ...
Terrible terrible news. Who would have thought Johnny would outlive June? Apparently she did (though she didn't write the following.) This is the beginning of Banks of Jordan, a duet with Johnny from June's solo album Press On.
(Johnny)
I believe my steps are growing wearier each day
Got another journey on my mind
Lures of this old world have ceased to make me want to stay
And my one regret is leaving you behind
(June)
But if it proves to be His will that I am first to cross
And somehow I have a feeling it will be
When it comes your time to travel likewise don't feel lost
For I will be the first one that you see
This really is sad news. Her last year must have been a trying one with her own health problems and those of her husband and daughter. She was quite a marvel, full of contradictions. Wholesome but bawdy, devout but free thinking, royal but common.
VC
Posted by: Vernam on May 16, 2003 04:37 PMWhere I work someone had just bought the Hurt album by Johnny Cash and was playing the video Hurt, which is included in the cd. As we watching we get to see Johnny walking around the Carter family muesum. At the end of the video standing in the background with a smile on her face is June. That is how I will remember her always happy to watch her husband doing the job he loves. I grew up in a house who loved all that old country music so I had to listen to it all. I just wish I appriaciate(SP) it back then as much as I do today. That song Hurt now for me takes on al whole new meaning I suggest everyone go and listen to it today.
Posted by: Brad on May 20, 2003 08:38 AMJohnny Cash passed today but his music will carry on. The man in black will never be forgotten. Today's celebrities should hope to be as revered and loved and idolized. We'll miss you Johnny.
Posted by: Tina-marie on September 12, 2003 09:16 PM