Johnny Cash's Home Burned To The Ground
Very sad news for Johnny Cash fans and music history buffs, as the Man In Black's 40-year-old home -- the only house shared by Johnny and June during marriage -- was engulfed in flames and destroyed yesterday. Via AP:
Cash and his wife, June Carter Cash, lived in the 13,880-square-foot home from the late 1960s until their deaths in 2003. Barry Gibb, a former member of the Bee Gees, purchased the home in 2006 and had hoped to remodel it and eventually write songs there with his wife.While the cause of the fire is unknown, it spread quickly because of "a flammable wood preservative" applied both inside and to the exterior of the house by the remodeling crew. This is not a good day to be Barry Gibb. "Maybe it's the good Lord's way to make sure that it was only Johnny's house," said neighbor Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys. Watch Johnny's "Hurt" video for scenes from the storied home."So many prominent things and prominent people in American history took place in that house — everyone from Billy Graham to Bob Dylan went into that house," said singer Marty Stuart, who lives next door and was married to Cash's daughter, Cindy, in the 1980s.
Stuart said the man who designed the house, Nashville builder Braxton Dixon, was "the closest thing this part of the country had to Frank Lloyd Wright."
Posted at 10:21 AM
Tags: Bee Gees | Johnny Cash
Wow. Just. Wow. That blows. It's not clear from the story what, if any, historic memorabilia was in the home, but even if there was none and it was just the structure... yeah.
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Sad stuff.
Funny that Oak Ridge Boys have turned up on Stereogum.
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cry
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I'm really glad you guys didn't make a lame 'ring of fire' joke. this news is sad enough without bad puns.
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And just when you thought the Romanek "Hurt" video couldn't get any more depressing, there you go. On ther lighter side of "Hurt", the voices here aren't spot on, but this worked in a big way for me when I first saw it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLQRv0RjBBM
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If this was arson I hope the feds find the person/people who did it and hang them by their toes and ask if it 'hurts'
cry cry cry.. =(
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To Whom it may Concern:
I'm shocked to here about to here about Johnny Cash's house being burned down. I also really know how shocked that all of his fans are.
When my husband and I go out to Karaoke Clubs, he likes to sing some of Johnny's songs, like Folsum Prision, I Walk The Line and a few more of his good songs. He was a great person and a great family man. His wife June Carter was also a great woman and singer. Her voice was so sweet and mellow. They made a great pair as a couple, and great at singing together.
Barry Gibb: I hope that you can get the house back in fantastic shape as it was before the fire.
I'm sorry for you too. The house must have been a treasure for you and your wife and kids.
I'm also a great fan of the Bee Gees. You, your brothers Robin, Maurice. Your songs from the sixties and seventies are great.
And again I'm sorry about your house and hope you can get it back into fantastic shape, or as what it was before.
Sincerely Yours,
Kelly Ann Fogarty
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yeah, this is a major bummer. i just remember hearing about how he had all of these unreleased songs in like some valut of his (some of which have just been released on an album). as sad as this is, i just hope those tapes weren't located in the house or future gems will never be heard.
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im not sure if his being dead makes this more or less sad.
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What a disaster. There will be so many Johnny Cash fans shedding a tear on hearing this sad news. I live in Australia, but as a long-time fan, had hoped to travel and see this house some day. Even if it gets rebuilt (and I hope it is), the opportunity has been lost forever.
My condolences to Johnny's family and friends, and likewise to Barry Gibb and his family.
This really must be a national treasure lost!
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Wow! Thats too bad! I remember seeing this house back in the late 70's, early 80's. I thought it was just the coolest place. It was the first private residence that I remember that had it's own satellite dish outside! Those were the days!! Thanks for the memories John and June!
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I had the greatest blessing in meeting Johnny Cash while working as an extra on the show "Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman". I worked with him for a week and I recall Mr. Cash showing up at location in his big "Black" bus. When he first spoke to me, I made him laugh, after that he treated me like a daughter. He was a sweet man, gentle and funny. I saw June on the set a few times. Her and I didn't talk, only to say "hi" to one another. She seemed very protective of her husband and rightly so. I was able to get a picture of Mr. Cash and I together. He in his infamous all black and I in my saloon girl costume. What a wonderful memory. I am sad to say, I did not take up the opportunity to go to the Cash home for one of their annual Christmas Parties. I've kicked myself ever since. May they rest in peace and continue their journey together. God Bless.
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I do not think it is depressing. I am glad it happened. I think it is FUNNY. I would never have done it myself, but whatever happened... I am glad.
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Finally watched the movie "Walk The Line"...it was alright. You just can't improve on the originals. Yes, I know - it was just a movie. What a love story. There was certainly a lot of hurt going on though. Sometimes you have to have it to find your way I guess. Sad about the home they shared. Probably should have just left it alone and let the ghosts have it...
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I feel very sorry for Barry, who is himself a gifted country songwriter {Islands In The Stream, Rest Your Love On Me} to have to suffer an awful setback like this because some scumbag decided he didn't want anyone else living in the house. Barry was going to renovate it to it's former glory, whereas if anyone else had got hold of it it would've either been gutted or demolished, or turned into a McDonald's. A very sad day for Johnny cash fans. My prayers are with all who this has affected.
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