Despite there being many Johnny Cash songs about failing and being down on your luck, that certainly wasn't true when it came to the singer's career. From the second his debut album — With His Hot and ...

NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with Johnny Cash historian Mark Stielper and Cash's son, John Carter Cash, on their book, Johnny Cash: The Life in Lyrics and the Man in Black's legacy as a songwriter.

Cash was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He spoke to Fresh Air in 1997 about his career, from touring with Elvis to singing at prisons. He died in 2003.

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today. Johnny Cash, in one way or another, ...