The Scottish roots of Johnny Cash (2024)

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The Scottish roots of Johnny Cash (1)Image source, Getty Images

By Steven Brocklehurst

BBC Scotland News

There are many places of pilgrimage for fans of legendary musician Johnny Cash, among them Arkansas, where he was born, Nashville, Tennessee, the home of country music - and Fife.

In truth, the east coast of Scotland is not yet a hotspot for fans of the Man in Black but some people think it should be.

A small festival in Aberdour is now paying tribute to Cash's legacy and his Scottish links.

Cash himself claimed his ancestors were from the Kingdom of Fife and was proud of his Scottish roots, even if they had crossed the Atlantic way back in the 17th Century.

The all-American musician began his career in the 1950s, recording alongside Elvis Presley at the famous Sun Studios in Memphis.

Image source, Getty Images

He walked the line between outlaw and heavenly until he died in 2003, at the age of 71, after a late career flourish in which he had success with a series of acoustic albums.

But it was a chance meeting in the late 1970s that led the star to track down his Scottish roots.

He found himself sitting next to Major Michael Crichton-Stuart, hereditary keeper of Falkland Palace in Fife, on a flight from the US.

Cash mentioned that he had heard that his family originated in Scotland and Mayor Crichton-Stuart confirmed that the family name was still to be seen in the farms and streets of the Kingdom.

Cash's daughter Roseanne told a BBC documentary in 2010: "My father was so taken by this he had our ancestry done back to the 11th century."

Biographer Stephen Millar told the same programme it appeared Cash was descended from a man called William Cash who lived in Strathmiglo in the late 17th Century.

Image source, Getty Images

The singer's daughter Roseanne further claims that the Cash clan is descended from Ada, the sister of King Malcolm IV (1153-1165).

She says: "Whenever my dad went into the hospital in his last years of life, he always checked himself in under the name of Malcolm. He relished that connection with royalty, however far distant in the past."

In the 1980s, Cash travelled to Fife at least three times - most notably in 1981 when he recorded a Christmas special for US television with fellow singer Andy Williams.

When Leith-born singer-songwriter Dean Owens heard the story he thought something should be done to celebrate Cash's Fife roots.

"Being Scottish we like to claim people for our own," he says. "Finding out Johnny Cash is Scottish, I got quite excited about that."

Mr Owens said the Cashback festival at the Woodside Hotel in Aberdour was not a "tacky" tribute festival but instead a celebration of Cash's legacy.

Rebus author Ian Rankin will be one of those taking part, giving a talk on Saturday afternoon.

John McTaggart, who owns the Woodside Hotel, where the festival takes place, says more people should know about the connection.

He says everyone knows that Prestwick Airport was the only place in the UK where Elvis Presley ever set foot.

And Kirriemuir has a statue in honour of AC/DC's Bon Scott, who lived there until he moved to Australia when he was six.

"People love that musical heritage," he says. "So there should be some kind of monument."

Mr Owens says maybe a statue is not the right memorial.

"In some ways this is better because it is all about the music," he says.

The Scottish roots of Johnny Cash (2024)

FAQs

The Scottish roots of Johnny Cash? ›

Cash himself claimed his ancestors were from the Kingdom of Fife and was proud of his Scottish roots, even if they had crossed the Atlantic way back in the 17th Century. The all-American musician began his career in the 1950s, recording alongside Elvis Presley at the famous Sun Studios

Sun Studios
Sun Records is an American independent record label founded by producer Sam Phillips in Memphis, Tennessee on February 1, 1952. Sun was the first label to record Elvis Presley, Charlie Rich, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Sun_Records
in Memphis.

What was Johnny Cash's nationality? ›

Johnny Cash (born February 26, 1932, Kingsland, Arkansas, U.S.—died September 12, 2003, Nashville, Tennessee) was an American singer and songwriter whose work broadened the scope of country and western music. Born: February 26, 1932, Kingsland, Arkansas, U.S.

Did Johnny Cash ever play in Scotland? ›

Such was Johnny's fascination with the land of his forefathers he even arranged to play a special televised concert at Falkland Palace in 1981. He was joined for the show by another American musical legend, Andy Williams, and the two happily posed for pictures and chatted with locals before the performance.

What is Johnny Cash's real middle name? ›

his real name is J.R. CASH an intial name when he enlisted in the air force they told him he had to have a full name so he used JOHN R. and when he went to sun they dubbed him as JOHNNY.. Originally he was just called JR. He then became John R Cash.

Who is Johnny Cash's son? ›

John Carter Cash has had success as a film actor and producer, as well, and as an author – including three childrens' books, a novel, a cookbook of family recipes, a biography of his mother, and a memoir of his relationship with his father. My father's legacy in music is: Be who you are.

Did Johnny Cash's family come from Scotland? ›

Cash himself claimed his ancestors were from the Kingdom of Fife and was proud of his Scottish roots, even if they had crossed the Atlantic way back in the 17th Century. The all-American musician began his career in the 1950s, recording alongside Elvis Presley at the famous Sun Studios in Memphis.

Was Johnny Cash's wife biracial? ›

Vivian Liberto died in 2005 at the age of 71, believing she was of mixed Italian and German ancestry. The daughter of a father of Sicilian heritage and a mother of German and Irish descent, she was married to Cash from 1954-66.

Is Johnny Cash related to the royal family? ›

In a 2008 episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, he discovered that he was a descendant of King George II, making him a distant relative of King Charles III – but some are more surprising than others. Johnny Cash, who died 20 years ago, was also related to The King on his father's side.

What Indian was Johnny Cash? ›

Cash used to say he was part Cherokee but eventually admitted he wasn't. Neverthless, Bitter Tears was an early and heartfelt attempt to translate the history and problems of Native Americans into musical form, drums and all.

Where did Johnny Cash visit in Scotland? ›

The Man in Black was immensely proud of his family's Fife roots and was a regular visitor to Falkland following a chance discovery that his family name was indelibly linked to the area and the neighbouring settlement of Strathmiglo. Johnny even played a special televised concert at Falkland Palace in 1981.

What does the R mean in Johnny Cash's name? ›

Johnny Cash's real name is J.R. His father wanted to name him Ray and his mother wanted River to be his name. They settled for J.R. instead — obviously. He changed his name to John R. Cash when he applied for the Air Force in the early 1950s.

Was Johnny Cash's first wife black? ›

Was Johnny Cash's first wife black? Vivian Liberto was biracial or multiracial including being mixed with black or she was very light skinned and black.

Who is Johnny Cash's grandson? ›

Thomas Gabriel spent time touring with grandparents Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash as a boy and became interested in music at an early age. In addition to following in his family's musical footsteps, Gabriel also followed down the path of substance abuse.

Which one of Johnny Cash's daughters died? ›

Like her mother, sister and stepfather, Rosie also led a musical life, performing on The Johnny Cash Show and with the Carter Family. In October 2003 — five months after her mother's death that May — Rosie died of carbon monoxide poisoning. She was 45 years old.

Who inherited Johnny Cash's fortune? ›

After a long and prolific music career, Cash left plenty of cash for his son but little for his daughters according to his will. He'd amassed a $60 million to $100 million fortune. The Nashville Ledger reported that he finalized his estate details just before his death.

Is Johnny Cash's first wife still alive? ›

Vivian Distin (née Liberto, formerly Cash; April 23, 1934 – May 24, 2005) was an American homemaker and author. She is notable as the first wife of singer Johnny Cash and mother of their four daughters. She inspired his first hit single "I Walk the Line".

Was Johnny Cash's first wife black or Italian? ›

White supremacists stated that she was black and thus married illegally to her husband. She and her husband were subject to harassment and he was boycotted for a year in the South before his manager documented her background as white. After the couple divorced in 1966, they each married again.

Was Johnny Cash's wife African American? ›

Was Johnny Cash's first wife black? Vivian Liberto was biracial or multiracial including being mixed with black or she was very light skinned and black.

What nationality is Johnny Cash's grandson? ›

Thomas Gabriel is an American singer and songwriter. Gabriel's music has been described as a mix of Americana/Roots with a hint of country and rock. He is the eldest grandchild of singer and actor Johnny Cash.

Why did Johnny Cash lose his eyesight? ›

Glaucoma has stolen most of his eyesight; asthma keeps him fighting for breath. (In 1999, Cash was misdiagnosed with Shy-Drager, a Parkinson's like neurological disorder he says he knew he never had.

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