Johnny Cash - 'The Highwayman'

Country music icon Johnny Cash (1932-2003) sings the song 'The Highwayman', written by Jimmy Webb.

Unlike many of the appearances on the show where performers are on publicity tours for their latest work, Cash and his wife June Carter Cash came to Australia for an 'anonymous' visit with friends and were convinced to appear on the show.

This performance was in the same year that Cash and Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson formed the 80s supergroup, whose name The Highwaymen was inspired by the song. The Highwaymen cover of the song went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 1986.

The Mike Walsh Show featured musical performances from many big name recording artists from around the world, including The Village People, Queen, Leonard Cohen, Chubby Checker and Australians Jade Hurley, Little Pattie and John Farnham.

Clip taken from The Mike Walsh Show: Episode 5031.

Notes by Beth Taylor