Читать книгу The Book Of Lists - David Wallechinsky - Страница 44

Johnny Cash, widely considered to be the greatest country music singer and composer in history, died in September of 2003 at the age of 71. Known as ‘The Man in Black’ (he always wore black), Cash was born the son of a poor sharecropper in Arkansas in 1932, and he sang to himself while picking cotton for 10 hours a day. Cash recorded more than 1,500 songs. He toured worldwide and played for free in prisons throughout America. Among his greatest hits are ‘Ring of Fire’ and ‘I Walk the Line’. His 1975 autobiography, Man In Black, has sold well over 1.5 million copies. Cash’s death was long and painful, and his last four albums are considered by many to be his greatest work, as they all examine a hard-working man coming to terms with the end of his life. Said Merle Kilgore, one of the co-authors of Ring of Fire, ‘It’s a sad day in Tennessee, but a great day in Heaven. “The Man in Black” is now wearing white as he joins his wife June in the angel band.’ June and Johnny were married for 35 years, and her death preceded his by four months. Cash contributed this list to The Book of Lists in 1977.

1 ‘I Walk the Line’, Johnny Cash

2 ‘I Can’t Stop Loving You’, Don Gibson

3 ‘Wildwood Flower’, Carter Family

4 ‘Folsom Prison Blues’, Johnny Cash

5 ‘Candy Kisses’, George Morgan

6 ‘I’m Movin’ On’, Hank Snow

7 ‘Walking the Floor over You’, Ernest Tubb

8 ‘He’ll Have to Go’, Joe Allison and Audrey Allison

9 ‘Great Speckle Bird’, Carter Family

10 ‘Cold, Cold Heart’, Hank Williams