Rock Date Diary: James Taylor debuts on the Johnny Cash Show

Other guests on the ABC Television show included Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt and Tony Joe White.

His songs included Fire and Rain, Country Road, Oh Susanna and Sweet Baby James.

Bob’s perspective:

“Fifty years ago today James Taylor appeared live on ‘The Johnny Cash Show’, from the Ryman Auditorium the venue that had banned Cash only six years earlier for drunkenly kicking out the stage lights during a chaotic live gig.

The show ran on ABC TV from 1969-1971 and gave the Mother Church of Country Music priceless publicity.

It also proved to be a vital showcase for many of the young, emerging singer songwriters of the time, including Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young and Linda Ronstadt who appeared alongside regular guests Carl Perkins and Johnnys great friend Bob Dylan”