Johnny Cash “At Folsom Prison” Turns 55

55 years ago today, ‘The Man in Black’ performed his now infamous live show at Folsom (State) Prison in Northern California. Johnny Cash penned the tune “Folsom Prison Blues” in 1953 at the age of 21, recorded it two years later in 1955 and eventually released it on his debut album ‘Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar!’, though it was never released as an official single. 

15 years after the creation of “Folsom Prison Blues”, Cash performed the song live to a crowd of about 2,000 inmates at Folsom State Prison, just north of Sacramento. His entire set was recorded and would ultimately become his first-ever commercially released live album which came out May 6th, 1968. Over his decades long career, Johnny Cash has released 67 studio albums – SIXTY-SEVEN – along with a few posthumously released records, and close to 20 live albums. 

The live version of “Folsom Prison Blues” became a #1 hit on the country music charts and reached #32 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the same year. This version also won Cash the Grammy award for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Male at the 11^th Annual Grammy Awards in 1969. 

Backed by June Carter, Carl Perkins, and the Tennessee Three, Cash performed two shows at the prison on this day, January 13^th, back in 1968. Much of the live album consists of tracks from the first show, however, there have been a few re-releases and deluxe editions of the album that are available featuring more from both shows.

Cash opened almost all his concerts with “Folsom Prison Blues” after greeting the audience with his characteristic introduction “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash”, just like he does on “At Folsom Prison” recorded live 55 years ago today! 

Bonus: Another great live record is the Johnny Cash & Willie Nelson 'VH1 Storytellers’ album where they play each other’s songs together including “Folsom Prison Blues” and “On The Road Again”.