Sun Sounds: “Folsom Prison Blues”- Johnny Cash. Long before Johnny Cash actually played- and recorded one of his most famous albums- at Folsom Prison in 1968- he wrote- in 1953 this song- and recorded it at Sun Studio in 1955. It would become one of his signature songs. When it was recorded at Sun in 1955- the usual line up was in order- producer being Sam Phillips and Johnny was on vocals and guitar, Luther Perkins on guitar and Marshall Grant on bass. There was no drummer but Cash replicated the snare drum by inserting a piece of paper under the guitar strings and strumming the snare rhythm on his guitar. When released as a single in 1956 the single went to #4 on the country charts- when the live version was released in 1968 it went all the way to #1- and #32 on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart.
slicethelife 
I didn’t realize he first recorded this song at Sun in the 50s. The sound is so clean with seemingly few or no production effects. It’s wonderful.
Way back when I was a kid and first heard it I figured the song was written for the occasion of his concert..
This is a song I can appreciate.
How would you like to have that stable of talent.
Unbelievable the talent in that area during that period of time. I’ve always thought the rock and roll hall of fame should have been built in Memphis.
No kidding except most the music doesnt even have a sniff of that vibe.