The legendary sing, songwriter, musician and actor John R. Cash aka Johnny Cash was born on this date, February 26th in 1932.
Cash’s life is littered with fun facts. Here are a few:
1. Once Hospitalized After An Ostrich Attack
Cash owned a private ranch in Henderson, Tennessee where he kept, amongst other things, ostriches. One day, a male ostrich kicked him in the chest, leaving him in intensive care with 5 broken ribs and internal bleeding.
2. Roy Orbison’s Neighbor For 20 Years
Not only did Cash and Roy Orbison live next door to each other for 20 years, they loved to collaborate together on music. Johnny helped get Roy’s records into the hands of a Sun Records executive which led to his signing, but their relationship went much further than business. In fact, when tragedy struck, and Roy’s house caught on fire, killing his two sons, Cash bought the abandoned lot where the house had been and turned it into a memorial grove, promising never to sell it.
3. President Jimmy Carter’s Cousin
Johnny became a cousin by marriage to future President Jimmy Carter, who himself was a distant cousin of June Carter. When they met they became friends and remained so throughout their lives.
4. First Person To Ever Be Sued By The US For Starting A Forrest Fire
Johnny Cash had a camper that he would drive into the desert. He painted the windows black so he could sleep during the day, but unfortunately an oil leak from the van set the Los Padres National Wildlife Refuge on fire, destroying acres of trees and killing all but nine of the endangered condors that lived in the reserve. Showing no remorse Cash told the inquest “I don’t give a damn about your yellow buzzards” and was subsequently successfully sued by the government for starting the fire.
5. Could Translate Russian Morse Code
Amongst his hidden talents was something he learned to do on a military base in Germany while he was serving in the US Air Force. As random as it may seem, Cash learned how to translate Russian Morse Code!
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