Died On This Date (May 15, 2003) June Carter Cash / Country Music Icon
themusicsover June Carter
June 23, 1929 – May 15, 2003
June Carter was born into country music’s iconic Carter Family on May 23, 1929. By the time she was just ten, she was performing as part of the family group. In 1961, the Carter Family went on the road with Johnny Cash where a romance blossomed between June and Johnny. Two years later, Carter co-wrote “Ring Of Fire,” apparently inspired by Cash, who made it one of country music’s greatest recording’s ever. In 1968, Carter and Cash married. In later years, Cash would publicly credit Carter for saving his life by forcing him to kick his legendary drug habits. Together Carter and Cash recorded several songs together, including the Grammy-winning “Jackson,” and “If I Were A Carpenter.” Carter set her sites on writing and acting during the ’70s and ’80s, publishing two autobiographies and appearing in The Apostle, and on television’s Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. She returned to recording in the late ’90s, releasing the Grammy-winning Press On in 1999. June Carter Cash died unexpectedly on May 15, 2003 due to complications from heart surgery.
What You Should Own
Bob Wills was a Texas born western swing musician and songwriter. He is referred to as the “King of Western Swing.” As a child, when Wills wasn’t picking cotton, he was learning to play the mandolin and fiddle. Throughout the ’40s, Wills and his Texas Playboys were the most popular musical act in the country not only because they were outstanding musicians, but because Wills continued to “break the rules” of popular music. Wills continued to draw sizable crowds and sell plenty of records throughout the ’50s. In 1962, he suffered his first of two heart attacks in as many years. After his recovery, he continued on until 1962 when he suffered a life changing stroke in that he was left paralyzed on his right side. Another stroke in December of 1973 left Wills in a coma until his death on May 13, 1975.
Keith Whitley was an American country singer who achieved mainstream success in the mid to late ’80s. Married to Lorrie Morgan in 1986, the couple were destined to become one of country music’s favorite couples. But that dream was cut short on May 9, 1989 when Whitley was found dead face down in his bed. After many years battling alcoholism, he died at the age of 34 from what was officially ruled alcohol poisoning.
Eddy Arnold was one of the original architects of what would become known as the “Nashville Sound.” Extremely popular, Arnold sold over 85 million records and had almost 150 songs on the charts. Of those, 28 reached the top. He is part of an elite group of country artists that stayed relevant for over 50 years. Arnold launched his career at the age of 18 and made his first radio appearance in 1936. In those early days, he was managed by 