Folsom, California
We are spending the night in Folsom, California. Our hotel is near the Historic Train Station, just down the road from Folsom Prison.
Folsom Prison is perhaps the most famous prison in the world, made so by Johnny Cash. Cash performed three concerts here, one in 1966 and two in 1968. His ballad, Folsom Prison Blues, was always the first song of the evening, sung right after his classic opening line, “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash”.
Forced to listen to trains rolling by the prison walls knowing that he will never be free, Cash laments that the train’s lonesome whistle tortures him.
Johny Cash’s career was in a slump in the mid 1960’s. A severe drug addiction and destructive behavior led to a divorce with his first wife, and several venues cancelling his performances.
The Folsom Prison concerts and a live album recorded there changed all that. By 1969, Cash was back on top, selling more albums than The Beatles.
Johnny Cash never spent hard time in Folsom Prison, but his performances here elevated his career to its status as …
… An Icon of Reckless Bad-Assery
Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash
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