The younger brother of country music legend Johnny Cash, Tommy Cash, passed away on Friday, which was the day after the 21st anniversary of his big brother’s death. The younger Cash was 84-years-old. His passing was confirmed by The Johnny Cash Museum located in Nashville, Tennessee in a post on Instagram.
“I knew him for over 50 years,” museum founder and CEO Bill Miller said in the post. “Tommy Cash was a loyal supporter of the Johnny Cash Museum and a very beloved member of our extended family as well as a highly respected member of the music industry.
“This great man will be deeply missed by his friends and many loyal fans around the world,” he added. “Please keep Tommy’s beloved wife, Marcy and his family in your prayers.”
Here’s more information on Tommy Cash’s passing from The New York Post:
Tommy was born in Dyess, Ark., on April 5, 1940, Billboard reported. Likely inspired by his big brother, he enlisted in the Army and was an Armed Forces radio DJ before eventually performing with Hank Williams Jr.’s band. Tommy Cash had a music career of his own, and his 1970 song, “Six White Horses,” landed him on the No. 4 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs.
His voice and look resembled Johnny, who he honored with the song “My Brother Johnny Cash” on his 2008 album, “All I Care About — Shades of Black.” Tommy Cash’s career didn’t take off until 1965, when he landed his first record deal before releasing his debut album “Here’s Tommy Cash” three years later, Billboard reported.
Tommy then earned a pair of Top 10 hits on the Hot Country Songs charts in 1970 with his tunes, “Rise and Shine” and “One Song Away.” Johnny and Tommy joined together in 1990 for a duet version of “Guess Things Happen That Way.”
Cash’s legendary brother passed away on Sept. 12, 2003 due to complications from diabetes. This past Sept. 12 marked 21 years since his death. In the days leading up to his death, Johnny had been suffering from severe heartache over he loss of his wife, June Carter Cash, earlier that same year.
Johnny Cash, without a doubt one of the greatest country musicians of all-time, had his love story with wife June chronicled in the smash hit film, “Walk the Line.” Actor Joaquin Phoenix played the role of Johnny with Reese Witherspoon as June.
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Tommy and Johnny had an older brother, Jack, who tragically died in a horrible accident when he was just a boy, an incident that left the family shattered for many years to come.