Johnny Cash's last ever live performance is one of the most stunning moments of his whole career

14 October 2025, 12:56

Johnny Cash -- His Final Live Performance (2003)

Just two months before he died, Johnny Cash gave a concert for the ages.

"Hello, I'm Johnny Cash..."

From his earliest recordings on the Sun label to his stunning American series of albums at the end of his career, Johnny Cash was one of the greatest recording artists of all time.

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And alongside his studio work, he was also a breathtaking live performer.

His early live shows in local auditoriums were followed by 1960s touring with the Carter Family, his groundbreaking prison shows and massive outdoor concerts (including that Glastonbury Festival set).

Starting with that to-the-point introduction, he never failed to give every single show his absolute all, and that was true until the very end.

"It's about time for me to go to work, or if you like, to go play," wrote Johnny Cash in the final paragraph of his 1997 memoir Cash.

"That's what we music gypsies call it, after all. I'll put on my black shirt, buckle up the black belt, on my black pants, tie my black shoes, pick up my black guitar, and go put on a show for the people in this town."

"Hello, I'm Johnny Cash..."

June Carter Cash, the love of Johnny's life, died on May 15, 2003, at the age of 73 after suffering from heart valve issues.

After first meeting in 1956 backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, Johnny and June married in 1968 and remained together until her passing 35 years later.

They released their first single together (a cover of Bob Dylan's 'It Ain't Me Babe') in 1964 and their first joint album (Carryin' On with Johnny Cash and June Carter) three years later.

Before her death, June had urged Johnny to keep on working, and that's just what he did.

At this point, Johnny himself was in incredibly poor health, but as well as finishing off 60 more songs in the last four months of his life, he even got back up on stage at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia.

Johnny Cash's last ever public performance took place on July 5, 2003 – around two months after June's death and two months before his own – where he was introduced by Janette Carter and backed by his band.

Unsteady on his feet, the legendary Man in Black was helped to the microphone by his and June's son John Carter Cash and pretty much lowered into his chair. Truth be told, he looked in no fit state to play.

Johnny Cash - Hurt

That was until someone passed him an acoustic guitar and, for the last time in front of a crowd, he uttered those immortal words.

"Hello, I'm Johnny Cash..."

Johnny proceeded to give not just one of the most stunning performances of his career, but one of the most beautiful in the history of music.

Despite his health issues, he served up such strength, grace and power that – alongside Ozzy Osbourne's recent farewell performance – marks it out as one of the ultimate rock 'n' roll farewells.

The full setlist of Johnny Cash's last ever performance was as follows:

1. Folsom Prison Blues
2. I Walk the Line
3. Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
4. Ring of Fire
5. Angel Band
6. Big River
7. Understand Your Man

Just before singing 'Ring of Fire', a song that was written by June together with their joint pal Merle Kilgore, Johnny read a note expressing his undying love for her.

"The spirit of June Carter overshadows me tonight with the love she had for me and the love I have for her," he said,

"We connect somewhere between here and Heaven. She came down for a short visit, I guess, from Heaven to visit with me tonight to give me courage and inspiration like she always has.

"She's never been one for me except courage and inspiration. I thank God for June Carter. I love her with all my heart."

Johnny Cash died from complications from diabetes on September 12, 2003 at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 71.