When it comes to the all-time greatest duets in country music history, Johnny and June Carter Cash’s “Jackson” has to be near the top of the list.
The hit was written back in 1963 by Billy Edd Wheeler and Jerry Leiber, and recorded that same year by the Kingston Trio, Wheeler, and Flatt and Scruggs.
However, Johnny and June got their hands on the song in 1967, and on this day, January 11th, they stepped into the studio to record their duet.
Released on February 6th, 1967, Johnny and June’s “Jackson” shot up the Billboard Country Singles chart. The song was included on their 1967 album Carryin’ On with Johnny Cash & June Carter album, released later that year.
That same year, Johnny and June stopped by the Ralph Emery Show to play “Jackson,” and believe it or not, the song and performance actually happened before the two were married, and while Johnny was heavily addicted to prescription pills.
June, along with her mother Maybelle and father Ezra, moved into Johnny’s house for a few months shortly after this to help him kick the habit for the first time.
Even though they weren’t yet officially together, you can just see how they felt about each other on stage.
From they way their eyes meet to how Johnny walks out of frame to let her perform, there’s no wonder the two of them are forever remembered together in the country music history.
The duet went on to win a Grammy in February 1968 for Best Country & Western Performance Duet.
Shortly thereafter, the couple married on March 1, 1968.
And the rest is history.
