Johnny Cash’s “A Boy Named Sue” Has a Surprising Link to One of America’s First Publicized Legal Battles

Johnny Cash’s “A Boy Named Sue” Has a Surprising Link to One of America’s First Publicized Legal Battles

American country singer Johnny Cash (1932 - 2003) plays acoustic guitar in a still form his television series, 'The Johnny Cash Show,' circa 1969. (Photo by Getty Images) Johnny Cash debuted “A Boy Named Sue” at San Quentin State Prison in California in February 1969. Cash had only just learned the song, written by Shel Silverstein. He even read off a lyric sheet while he performed for the prisoners. But this didn’t translate poorly with the cro…