News > Celeb > Blaze Destroys Johnny Cash's Home

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WEDNESDAY APRIL 11 2007 3:00 PM

Blaze Destroys Johnny Cash's Home

Tags: johnny cash, hendersonville, house, fire

In what appears a heartbreaking instance of life imitating art, the Hendersonville fire department announced that Johnny Cash's lakeside Tennessee home burnt down today, leaving only its stone chimneys to commemorate where the late legend and wife June Carter Cash lived from 1968 until their deaths in 2003. Current owner Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, who snatched up the property in 2006 for a not-so-modest $2.3 million, was renovating the three-story house. Reports say Gibb is, saddened and devastated by the news," while Cash is probably turning in his grave.

The Hendersonville fire chief, Jamie Steele, did not know the cause of the fire, but confirmed that a flammable wood preservative applied to the outside of the house during refurbishment helped spread the flames.

The fire began at lunch time and although fire engines were on the scene within five minutes they were unable to quell the flames.

Marty Stuart, Cash's former son in law, lives on the neighboring property and had this to say:

"So many prominent things and prominent people in American history took place in that house - everyone from Billy Graham to Bob Dylan went into that house."

In addition to being the watering hole for other legendary artists, the home was also used for Cash's music video for his final recording, a cover of NIN's "Hurt."

Let the "Ring of Fire" jokes commence....

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Comments

erin_broadley

Los Angeles, CA

October 2006

APR 11, 2007 04:19 PM

AndersWolleck said:
was he ok?

thats hilarious made me laugh out loud just now in the office....

zepp101

Hillside, NJ

January 2007

APR 11, 2007 04:19 PM

fuckin a man....thats some repugnant shit. I would have never seen it in my life nor stepped in it but the fact that it was still there meant something. Just sucks.

and it burns burns burns....the house on fire..the house on fire

erin_broadley

Los Angeles, CA

October 2006

APR 11, 2007 04:21 PM

theaceface

Los Angeles, CA

March 2007

APR 11, 2007 04:33 PM

I think it's fitting. That's Johnny Fucking Cash's house. Noone was meant to live there but June and him. Barry Gibb can take his money elsewhere.

I'm just sorry it won't be around for posterity.

thefly

Eagle Springs, NC

November 2003

APR 11, 2007 04:38 PM

SocietysPliers said:
I just heard Kris Kristofferson on a local country station discussing it and how he'd once landed a helicopter there to surprise Cash. It seemed like the fire had significant emotional impact on Kris.

No matter how many idolize Cash, Kristofferson loved the man (while working at Columbia records as a janitor he sold Johnny "Sunday Morning Coming Down" and, after that, he says "I never had to mop anyone's floor again"). He seems to owe his career to Cash. I can see it disturbing him.

And I didn't know Barry Gibb was "renovating" the house to live in it. What a fucking Asshole!

Libbee

Australia

December 2006

APR 11, 2007 04:44 PM

BAH!!!

aleksa

Tacoma, WA

April 2006

APR 11, 2007 04:55 PM

That house was a huge piece of the personal and musical history of Johnny Cash. It makes me sad to think it's gone.

Oh, and you had to link to that song.... It chokes me up every time I see it.

PBRawwww

San Diego, CA

May 2005

APR 11, 2007 05:44 PM

johnny's reaching from the grave.....no disco in my house!!!!!!
i think if this were to happen while johnny was alive he would be the least affected...
if hes taught us anything...it's just a house.