The iconic Cash album was recorded 47 years ago today (Feb. 24).
In a time where everyone was worried about a clean-cut image in country music, Johnny Cash decided to record and perform for the inmates at San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, California.
Cash’s younger brother Tommy Cash remembers “He always identified with the underdog. He identified with the prisoners because many of them had served their sentences and had been rehabilitated in some cases but were still kept there the rest of their lives. He felt a great empathy with those people.”
The 10-song album included some of the most famous Cash songs such as “I Walk The Line” and “A Boy Named Sue”. At San Quentin was certified platinum three times.
Watch video footage from the memorable performance at the prison below:
