10 Most Iconic Live Music Performances Of All Time

Sometimes a live performance is just what an artist needs to rejuvenate their career, and prior to stepping onstage at Folsom State Prison on the 13th of January 1968, legendary country singer Johnny Cash really was at one of his lowest points throughout his career. His personal life was a mess, his pill addiction was out of control, he has accordingly contemplated suicide and his record label were close to dropping him given that he had not recorded a hit in years. Having always had a keen interest in the prison system himself, Cash was convinced by his preacher Rev. Floyd Gresset to play the show, and in just one night he went from a dried out former country and blues legend to once again being one of the biggest artists in the world.

Prisoners looked on in awe as Cash performed in the cafeteria on two separate occasions, with the second being slightly less subdued to ensure they could clearly hear his music enough for it to be taped. Inmates were warned not to stand but many of them did so anyway, and despite fears that that things may get out of hand the group were reasonably restrained, with Cash’s performances seeming like every song had been written specifically for them.

The recording and subsequent album At Folsom Prison was released later that year to wide acclaim, selling more than 3 million copies and spawning seminal sequel At San Quentin which became number one the following year. Cash himself saw the performance as a chance to change the relationship he had held with audiences and contributed the performance to his resurgence. Cash would remain outspoken on the need for prisoner reform throughout his career and would continue to play performances in prisons following his time at Folsom.