Mar 11 2008
Johnny Cash: Folsom Prison Blues, 1959
Here is a clip of Johnny with his original Tennessee Two on the Town Hall Party television show in Compton California. Luther Perkins’ deadpan expression as he plays his guitar break is priceless. Whatever it is that Johnny wants him to do, talking to him while he takes his solo, Luther is having none of it. Marshall Grant, meanwhile is having a party of his own while playing bass.
Guitar affectionados will note that Johnny is playing his custom built Gibson J200. This guitar had his name inlaid in mother of pearl on the fingerboard and an unusually shaped pick guard. Luther Perkins is playing a rare early Fender Jazzmaster. You can catch just a glimpse of Luther’s tweed Bassman amplifier. if you are a real guitar nerd, and a subscriber to the FDP, you won’t miss it.
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Classic. I love these old b/w videos you find. Johnny Cash is one of my favorites too. Take care!
[…] finally Clark brings us a grand version of Johnny Cash’s Folsom Folsom Prison Blues from 1959 Stumble […]
Great video!
I am currently helping promote the new release of Walk The Line and may have some cool video clips you might be interested in. Please email me back!
Many was the day that I sat on the floor at the foot of my parent’s console stereo, listening to my dad play all of his old Johnny Cash records. Thanks for the memories…
One more thing about this post…with all the memories it stirred up of my father, I didn’t notice the date of the original post, March 11th - how fitting, even if purely coincidental - it would have been my father’s 81st birthday.