THERE cannot be many people who have never heard the name of Johnny Cash.

He was one of the most influential singer/songwriters of the 20th Century and known as one of the greatest country artists of all time. His wife of 35 years, June Carter Cash, died in 2003 and four month later, on September 12, Cash followed her.

This Saturday various tributes are made on television and radio, and I recall that 22 years ago I received a phone call asking would I like to compere a show and introduce Johnny Cash.

Naturally, with concern that I was on some kind of wind up caper, I hesitantly accepted.

The Johnny Cash Show came to Bents Park, South Shields, on September 1, 1987 and I was allowed to interview him.

This was broadcast once and then “‘lost”. A few weeks ago it was rediscovered and although it had aged with time it has been remastered and, along with some of the great man’s music, can be heard as a commemoration of his life this Saturday on euvue.co.uk.

I have to state that Johnny Cash carried with him an aura, that to this day, I have never ever found in anyone else.

His music, like my personal memory, will last forever.