Opened in 1880, Folsom State Prison is the second-oldest prison in the state of California.
On Dec. 15, 1955, Sun Records released "Folsom Prison Blues", written and performed by Johnny Cash. It went to #4 on the Country Western chart. The song's melody and many of the lyrics borrowed heavily from Gordon Jenkins's 1953 Seven Dreams concept album, specifically the song "Crescent City Blues". In the early 1970s, Cash settled with Jenkins for a $75,000 payment.
Cash performed two shows at Folsom State Prison on January 13, 1968. He was backed by June Carter (whom he married later that year), Carl Perkins, and the Tennessee Three. The shows were recorded and released on Columbia Records as "At Folsom Prison" in May of 1968.
Cash's career had hit a wall from 1964-1968, due in part to drug addiction. By 1967, he had controlled his addiction and was looking to revitalize his career. At Folsom Prison was a hit record, reaching #1 on the CW charts and the top 15 of the national chart.
