A Boy Named Sue
Johnny Cash | Artist Essentials
First released: 1969 (year verified)
Original 1969 San Quentin live performance, single version
MusicAtlas editorial note: Let the spoken rhythm and audience response guide the unfolding story.
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Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1969 (year verified)
The selected single uses the original San Quentin performance released in 1969. The February concert date is not used as a release date.
Recording: Original 1969 San Quentin live performance, single version
Credit: Johnny Cash
Role in this collection: Primary artist
Original single: A Boy Named Sue
A Boy Named Sue - official Johnny Cash catalog
The original 1969 single is identified as the live San Quentin performance, with its single artwork and chart history. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
At San Quentin - official Johnny Cash album catalog
1969 live album includes A Boy Named Sue; the February concert date is separately identified as the recording session. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
In the yearly lists
These are listening-list appearances, separate from the first-release date.
Other catalog appearances
About Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash's early Sun recordings paired his voice and acoustic guitar with the spare accompaniment of guitarist Luther Perkins and bassist Marshall Grant. After moving to Columbia, he recorded country songs, gospel and concept albums drawing on American history and folk traditions. His prison concert albums at Folsom and San Quentin became major parts of that career. Later work with Rick Rubin opened another recording chapter, while collaborations such as the Highwaymen remained separately credited group projects.
Artist background sources
Johnny Cash - Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum biography
Sun recording trio, Columbia repertoire, Folsom and San Quentin albums, Rick Rubin collaboration and separately credited Highwaymen partnership. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Profile reviewed: 2026-10-17. Artist background does not establish a song's creative origin or release date.
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