h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It seems rather cruelly ironic that today, for no particular reason, I dressed almost entirely in black - and then, on the midday news, I heard the very sad news about the passing of the great singer and songwriter Johnny Cash, fondly known to his many fans as The Man In Black. The news was unsurprising in one sense, since he had been seriously ill with a variety of ailments for years, but it is still a great loss to the world of music.

I feel particularly privileged to have seen Mr Cash in concert in London in 1994, when he'd just released the 'American Recordings' album that brought him to a whole new audience. I don't think I've ever been in a more diverse audience; middle-aged country music buffs in stetsons mixed with young T-shirted rock fans. But Johnny could communicate with them all, just as he could make just about any song his own. His most recent album 'The Man Comes Around' contains everything from a stunning reading of Nine Inch Nails' 'Hurt' to a version of the old Second World War singalong 'We'll Meet Again' which now, of course, takes on a terrible poignancy.

He could be spiritual without preaching, and warm without being sentimental, and I'm grateful to him for enriching my life with the music that reflected those vital personal qualities of his.

R.I.P., the great man in black.

It was only a short time ago I watched a Larry King interview with Johnny Cash. He talked about how much he missed his recently deceasec wife, June.
A rare talent, and a kind, unpretentious human being
He inspired more people, young and old, than he ever knew..