Singing With the 'Man in Black'

For Johnny Cash's birthday his duets with Dylan, Joni, Ronstadt, Petty, Orbison, Satchmo, Rosanne, Seeger, Emmylou and more. And our usual cartooning.

The Man in Black was born 92 years ago next Monday in Kingsland, Ark., and there’s much to say, and sing, but we will confine ourselves to marking the occasion with Johnny on the spot in a few duets, often from his late-60s/early-70s network TV show. Cartoons follow. Enjoy, then don’t forget to subscribe, it’s free—in this case, no cash involved.

With just-emerging songstress, Joni Mitchell.

We all knew Johnny and Dylan were pals and I still remember the night when Bob made his first TV appearance in years on John’s show after Nashville Skyline. Here they sing, and clown a bit, when recording one of my favorite Bobster tunes, “One Too Many a Mornings,” which did not, but should have, made that album.

You may have seen long ago Cash doing “Girl of the North Country” with Dylan but he also tried it with Joni.

With young and now well known Linda Ronstadt. Her skirt was so short she was advised by producers to limit the effect.

With an even more influential musician, the man of the century, Satchmo (shortly before his death), paying tribute to another legend, Jimmie Rodgers.

Eric Clapton joined Cash and Carl Perkins for classic “Matchbox” (earlier also covered by The Beatles)

With fellow Highwaymen, Kris and Willie, for “Me and Bobby McGee”

And with daughter Rosanne, after her first album way back when.

With his former Sun stablemate Roy Orbison hailing that“Pretty Woman.”

Joined by Pete Seeger for “Worried Man Blues”

This fine duet with Tom Petty for one of his final albums did not surface for years.

Gospel with Emmylou Harris and a young Marty Stuart on mandolin.

One of my favorite songs (covered by Gram Parsons about that time), “Sing Me Back Home,” here with writer Marle Haggard

Friday Cartooning

Barry Blitt: