What do you think?
Rate this book
The Last Interview
Johnny Cash: The Last Interview: and Other Conversations
Johnny Cash seemed like the stuff of legend when he was alive, and even more so as he achieved something close to sainthood in death. The interviews collected here bring us closer to the actual brilliant, falliable, introspective, and longing for redemption.
Mythmaker, philosopher, sinner, and saint, Johnny Cash is perhaps the quintessential American icon. Though often rebellious and unruly, he rarely spoke without intention, sincerity, and a bit of poetry. Together with an introduction by music critic Peter Guralnick, the interviews here spotlight that inimitable rhetorical style, and the fascinating diversity of subjects that made him as relatable as he was mysterious. From a hopped up early interview with Pete Seeger, to a meditation on sobriety, to the last interview in which he stares calmly into the face of death, this collection brings together decades of insight as deeply profound as the unforgettable baritone of The Man in Black himself.
Mythmaker, philosopher, sinner, and saint, Johnny Cash is perhaps the quintessential American icon. Though often rebellious and unruly, he rarely spoke without intention, sincerity, and a bit of poetry. Together with an introduction by music critic Peter Guralnick, the interviews here spotlight that inimitable rhetorical style, and the fascinating diversity of subjects that made him as relatable as he was mysterious. From a hopped up early interview with Pete Seeger, to a meditation on sobriety, to the last interview in which he stares calmly into the face of death, this collection brings together decades of insight as deeply profound as the unforgettable baritone of The Man in Black himself.
- GenresMusicBiographyNonfiction
144 pages, Paperback
Published March 16, 2021
10 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Johnny Cash
237 books314 followersJohnny Cash, born J. R. Cash, also known as "The Man in Black", was a multiple Grammy Award-winning American country singer-songwriter. Cash is widely considered to be one of the most influential American musicians of the 20th century.
Cash was known for his deep, distinctive voice, his trademark dark clothing which earned him his nickname, the boom-chick-a-boom or "freight train" sound of his Tennessee Three backing band, and his demeanor. He rarely (if ever) wavered from introducing himself before performing, with the greeting, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash."
Much of Cash's music, especially that of his later career, echoed themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption. His signature songs include "I Walk the Line", "Folsom Prison Blues", "Ring of Fire", "That Old Wheel" (a duet with Hank Williams Jr.), "Cocaine Blues", and "Man in Black". He also recorded several humorous songs, such as "One Piece at a Time", "The One on the Right Is on the Left", "Dirty Old Egg-Sucking Dog" a duet with June Carter, Jackson, and "A Boy Named Sue"; rock-and-roll numbers such as "Get Rhythm"; and various railroad songs, such as "Rock Island Line" and "Orange Blossom Special".
He sold over 90 million albums in his nearly fifty-year career and came to occupy a "commanding position in music history".
Cash was known for his deep, distinctive voice, his trademark dark clothing which earned him his nickname, the boom-chick-a-boom or "freight train" sound of his Tennessee Three backing band, and his demeanor. He rarely (if ever) wavered from introducing himself before performing, with the greeting, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash."
Much of Cash's music, especially that of his later career, echoed themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption. His signature songs include "I Walk the Line", "Folsom Prison Blues", "Ring of Fire", "That Old Wheel" (a duet with Hank Williams Jr.), "Cocaine Blues", and "Man in Black". He also recorded several humorous songs, such as "One Piece at a Time", "The One on the Right Is on the Left", "Dirty Old Egg-Sucking Dog" a duet with June Carter, Jackson, and "A Boy Named Sue"; rock-and-roll numbers such as "Get Rhythm"; and various railroad songs, such as "Rock Island Line" and "Orange Blossom Special".
He sold over 90 million albums in his nearly fifty-year career and came to occupy a "commanding position in music history".
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 13, 2024
Great, short read to start the year.
It’s interesting to read Johnny’s thoughts on the possibility of country music losing its identity due to forced crossover in the recording biz. Really makes you appreciate the groups that still focus on keeping their music simple and honest.
It’s interesting to read Johnny’s thoughts on the possibility of country music losing its identity due to forced crossover in the recording biz. Really makes you appreciate the groups that still focus on keeping their music simple and honest.
March 20, 2023
I love Johnny Cash. I’ve read his memoir, I’ve listened to his albums, seen the Joaquin Phoenix movie, etc. So, of course I was interested in his interviews and whatnot. I guess my four star review comes with the caveat that you can’t really capture Johnny Cash through reading interviews. I meant you can, but listening to them, or watching them, that would be way better. He was such a cool dude I’d much rather take in his interviews whilst on the couch on TV or whatnot. However, these conversations/interviews were wildly insightful and I appreciate the man that much more.
October 29, 2021
It’s a short, simple book. You can probably find most of the interviews online, but there’s something about having them all together in a collection.
Cash is, hands down (to me, at least), one of the most fascinating people of the last century. There’s a lot of wisdom in this little book.
Cash is, hands down (to me, at least), one of the most fascinating people of the last century. There’s a lot of wisdom in this little book.
May 3, 2021
Awesome interviews. Well written and very interesting
January 16, 2022
A fun read that would benefit from better editing.
September 3, 2023
so much love for johnny. It’s so nice to feel seen sometimes.
Read
March 24, 2025*
February 28, 2022
Interesting enough. I was hoping for more in depth selections. Half of the interviews can be found on YouTube.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews