…Elvis, James Bond, Fonzie, or Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday cool!

Two of the most iconic memes of all time are about Country music’s Johnny Cash.

In the early 1980s, Cash was home in Tennessee, known as ‘The House of Cash.’ The house contained a studio, museum, and a farm which numerous animals called home, including ostriches. 

One of the ostriches froze to death one winter as she didn’t want to enter the barn, and her male mate, Waldo, was upset. Though Waldo had been pleasant to Cash beforehand, this time was different.

After walking his property one day, Waldo confronted Cash, who was holding a big stick to defend himself.

Unfortunately, Waldo’s speed and height advantage got the best of Cash, and Waldo clawed through Cash’s stomach severely while also knocking him to the ground, breaking a total of 5 ribs. He was able to shoo the bird away with the stick and run away, but not before getting seriously injured.

However, the photo of  Cash eating a cake in the bushes has become legend on social media. It’s the picture that launched a million memes.

This iconic picture was taken for his 1975 album Strawberry Cake. It is a live album recorded at The Palladium in London, England.

In reality, Cash was not under the influence of drugs for the photo shoot. 

Instead, the story behind the photo is rather touching and highlights Cash’s love for his fellow men from all walks of life.

The “Ring Of Fire” singer recognized someone’s struggle. In fact, it impacted him so much that Cash included it in his album. 

“On a hot summer afternoon in New York City, June and I walked through the zoo in Central Park,” Cash explained. “It was a hot dog and ice cream day. The place was crowded and giving up on the hassle of working our way through the crowd, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the concert that night at the Garden State Art Center.”

“As we approached the hotel, I saw a bum lying on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. He never even opened his eyes when I stood over him, June said, “Come On Honey.”

“But I said ‘just a minute.’ I walked around him, hoping he wasn’t dead,” he continued.  “My shadow fell across him, and when I moved on, I saw his eyes flutter as the bright sunlight hit his face. He didn’t open his eyes, but I knew he wasn’t dead.”

“What are you doing?” June asked “I’m thinking about my friend here, “I said” “that could be me, you know” June came over closer and smiled at me. “That was you a couple of times,” Cash said.

“Then she said again, “Come on, let’s go” The rest of the story is in the song. I became that man. I put myself in his place and in my mind, he finally won. I wish I knew who he is, and where he is. I’d send him a piece of Strawberry Cake.”

The meme was so successful that it spurred hundreds of “You May Be High” and especially “You May Be Cool” memes.

Here is a sampling of some of the most popular such memes:

Entertainment

Politics

Space & Exploration

Miscellaneous High & Coolness

☆☆☆☆☆

To receive free email notification when we post new articles like this, sign up below. Clever Journeys does & will not sell or share your information with anyone.

☆☆☆☆☆

IN GOD WE TRUST

Thanks for supporting independent true journalism with a small tip. Dodie & Jack

CLICK HERE for GREEN PASTURE BENEFITS

Use Code CLEVER10 for a 10% discount on Green Pasture products today!

CLICK HERE for GOOD HEALTH!

GREENPASTURE.ORG

☆☆☆

CINDY LEAL MASSEY, TEXAS AUTHOR

Now Available CLICK Here!

CleverJourneys is on Gab.com