I Walked the Line

I Walked the Line My Life with Johnny

Vivian Cash2008
When Johnny Cash died in September 2003, the world mourned the loss of the greatest country music star of all time. I Walked the Line is the life story of Vivian Cash, Johnny's first wife and the mother of his four daughters. It is a tale of long-kept secrets, lies revealed, betrayal and, at last, the truth. Johnny and Vivian were married for nearly fourteen years. These years spanned Johnny's military service in Germany, his earliest musical inclinations, their struggling newlywed years, Johnny's first record deal with Sun Records (alongside Elvis Presley), his astounding rise to stardom, and his well-known battles with pills and the law. Vivian decided that, near the end of her life and with backing from Johnny, she should tell the whole story, even the parts at odds with the iconic Cash family image such as Johnny's drug problems; Vivian's confrontation with June Carter about her affair with Johnny and, most sensationally, the Cash family secret of June's lifelong addiction to drugs and the events leading up to her death. Also revealed are unpublished love letters between the couple, family photographs and artefacts. I Walked the Line is a powerful memoir of joy and happiness, injustice and triumph and is an essential read for all Cash fans.
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Highlights

Photo of Werner Schuette
Werner Schuette@wernersound

Elvis was leading the pack of Sun artists, I guess you could say. He was the first to get his career going and was having the biggest success. Johnny followed closely behind him. And Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Roy Orbison came within a short time too. Johnny and I knew all of them well because they all worked together often. We came to know Carl Perkins and Elvis the best. Johnny and I especially liked Elvis. He was an all-around great guy and became a very close friend.

Photo of Werner Schuette
Werner Schuette@wernersound

September 10, 1952 Dearest Vivian, I don't know what to say honey, but I wanted to write anyway. The last letter I had from you was two weeks ago tomorrow. You said you'd write the next day, but I guess you changed your mind. Vivian, will you please write me just one letter? Don't you think I have a right to know why you stopped after all you mean to me? I know I do, and I can't see why you'd do this way unless you hate me. Anything else I said would just make it worse I guess, but the least you could do is keep your end of the bargain, and give me the reasons why you stopped. Please answer soon. I'm tired of waiting and wondering. If I don't get an answer to this letter, I'll not bother you anymore Vivian. All my love, Johnny