John R. Cash, known professionally as Johnny Cash, was an American singer-songwriter, born J. R. Cash on February 26, 1932, and passed away on September 12, 2003. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, known for his deep, calm, bass-baritone voice, a rebelliousness coupled with a somber and humble demeanor, and his all-black stage wardrobe, which earned him the nickname "Man in Black".

Born to poor cotton farmers in Kingsland, Arkansas, Cash grew up on gospel music and played on a local radio station in high school. He rose to fame during the mid-1950s in the burgeoning rockabilly scene in Memphis, Tennessee. Cash traditionally began his concerts with the introduction, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" followed by his signature song, "Folsom Prison Blues".

Throughout his career, Cash's music embraced themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in his later works. His signature songs include "I Walk the Line", "Ring of Fire", "Get Rhythm", and "Man in Black". His humorous numbers such as "One Piece at a Time" and "A Boy Named Sue", and collaborations with his future wife, June Carter, like "Jackson", showcase his versatile talent. In the later stage of his career, he covered songs by contemporary rock artists including "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails and "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode.

Cash's genre-spanning music embraced country, rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and gospel sounds. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with more than 90 million records sold worldwide, and has been inducted into the Country Music, Rock and Roll, and Gospel Music Halls of Fame.