Johnny Cash died, aged 71, last Friday in Nashville. 'The Man in Black' died from complications from diabetes that resulted in respiratory failure. He had recently been released from hospital after recovering from a stomach ailment, but had been battling autonomic neuropathy and bouts of pneumonia over the past few years.

Best known for hits such as "I Walk the Line," "Folsom Prison Blues" and "A Boy Named Sue" he sold over 50 million albums, won 11 Grammys and was a first-year inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Johnny Cash's story is one of rag's to riches with pain in between. He rose from a poverty-striken childhood to being one of the twentieth century's more popular composers, with over 150 charting hits.

After a spell in the army and as an electrical appliance salesman, Cash signed with Sam Phillips' Sun Records, joining Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Cash quickly made a name for himself with songs such as 'Folsom Prison Blues', 'I Walk the Line' and 'Guess Things Happen That Way'. Cash's career took off until the mid 1960s, when drug problems almost ended his career. They certainly lead to the end of his first marriage.

Cash discovered the bible in in the late 1960s. It was religion, as well as his second wife June Carter, which helped him regain control of his life.

Everything fell together with the 'Cash Live at Folsom Prison' album, from which 'A Boy Named Sue' was a top 20 hit in the United Kingdom. The album ultimately won him two Grammys.

Like many musicians, Cash harbored a desire to get into acting and television. While still releasing albums, he appeared in 'A Gunfight', 'The Pride Of Jesse Hallam', 'Little House On The Prairie' and 'Dr Quinn - Medicine Woman'.

Cash regained prominence in the 1990s with a 1992 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. One year later, Cash contributed vocals to 'The Wanderer' from U2's 'Zooropa' album. He also released the widely-acclaimed 'American Recordings' and 'Unchained' in the mid-1990s.

Most recently, Johnny Cash was one of the performers on 'Timeless', a Hank Williams tribute, which was named best country albumin the 2002 Grammy Awards. It features such acts as Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Beck and Emmylou Harris.

Johnny Cash died four months after the death of wife June Carter Cash.

His family released an official statement:

"The family of Johnny Cash, in this sad hour, is greatly comforted by the outpouring of love and respect for his remarkable life," said the statement. "We also take solace in the knowledge that he is again reunited with his dearest companion, June. Our lives, and indeed the entire planet, will forever feel the emptiness of his loss, but his music and the greatness of his spirit will endure."

Sites:

Johnny Cash: The Man in Black

Johnny Cash: The Man in Black (lots of sites use this title)

Johnny Cash historical photo gallery

Johnny Cash Yahoo group

Johnny Cash and the price of darkness

Johnny Cash, 1932-2003

Johnny Cash obituary

Adios, Johnny Cash