August 09, 2011
Tennessee Two gone
Marshall Grant, the last surviving member of Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Two, passed away Sunday, August 7 in Jonesboro, Arkansas after an aneurysm and stroke. He fell ill after rehearsing for a concert to raise funds for the restoration of Johnny Cash’s boyhood home. He was 82.
Marshall, Johnny Cash and guitarist Luther Perkins shaped the unique sound heard on songs like “I Walk the Line,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Ring of Fire,” “’Big River” and “Cry Cry Cry.” They happened upon their sound almost accidentally when Marshall and Luther, who were both mechanics in Memphis, were introduced to Johnny by his brother, Roy Cash. Since all three of them couldn’t play rhythm guitar, Luther borrowed a Fender Telecaster and Marshall bought a Kay bass. From there, their sound evolved.
According to Rosanne Cash “There was none of that ‘boom chicka boom’ without Marshall. You can’t separate the three of them at that point when it all started. It was one thing. You know, they’re united again, the three of them.”
Rosanne spent the last days of Marshall’s life with him in Arkansas. They had reconnected last Wednesday during rehearsals for a Johnny Cash Festival appearance that served as a fundraiser to help restore Cash’s childhood home in Dyess. Marshall fell ill and the Johnny Cash Festival was held without him, attracting George Jones and Kris Kristofferson. She says Marshall’s contribution to her dad’s success is undeniable.
Marshall played bass with Johnny Cash until 1980. He then began a career in management, handling The Statler Brothers until they retired in 2002 and later writing the autobiography I Was There When It Happened. He and Luther Perkins were among the first inductees into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville in 2007.
Marshall, Johnny Cash and guitarist Luther Perkins shaped the unique sound heard on songs like “I Walk the Line,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Ring of Fire,” “’Big River” and “Cry Cry Cry.” They happened upon their sound almost accidentally when Marshall and Luther, who were both mechanics in Memphis, were introduced to Johnny by his brother, Roy Cash. Since all three of them couldn’t play rhythm guitar, Luther borrowed a Fender Telecaster and Marshall bought a Kay bass. From there, their sound evolved.
According to Rosanne Cash “There was none of that ‘boom chicka boom’ without Marshall. You can’t separate the three of them at that point when it all started. It was one thing. You know, they’re united again, the three of them.”
Rosanne spent the last days of Marshall’s life with him in Arkansas. They had reconnected last Wednesday during rehearsals for a Johnny Cash Festival appearance that served as a fundraiser to help restore Cash’s childhood home in Dyess. Marshall fell ill and the Johnny Cash Festival was held without him, attracting George Jones and Kris Kristofferson. She says Marshall’s contribution to her dad’s success is undeniable.
Marshall played bass with Johnny Cash until 1980. He then began a career in management, handling The Statler Brothers until they retired in 2002 and later writing the autobiography I Was There When It Happened. He and Luther Perkins were among the first inductees into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville in 2007.
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