Johnny Cash

Rich Little can do Ronald Reagan, and Lilly Tomlin can do Ernestine, but no one in the world can do Johnny Cash. Blind-folded and treated to a single measure, anybody with one good ear can identify the trusty, rusty baritone that defies copy-cats, coming as it did from the deep roots of real-life lived. Cash came from Arkansas, saw Europe courtesy of Uncle Sam, and took that voice from country and gospel to rock and from small stage to big stage and television. Second wife June Carter was partner in music and love of his life, and his "man in black" anti-Oprey-glitz image was a foil to his often funny, see "A Boy Named Sue," lyrics. Cash was both the youngest living inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-er, won 11 Grammy's and recorded over 1,500 songs. From "Cry, Cry, Cry" and "I Walk the Line" to "Jackson" and gospel re-makes, his voice is a reminder to those who only listen that those who can, do.