Steve Turner began his journalistic career as Features Editor of the rock monthly Beat Instrumental where he interviewed many of the key figures of early 1970s rock. He then became a freelance journalist, and wrote his first book. In 1998, Bono invited him to write the book for the U2 film Rattle and Hum. He has also written biographies of Cliff Richard, Van Morrison and Marvin Gaye.

'In this highly readable biography, Steve Turner viidly captures the remarkable story of Johnny's life, from beginning to end - a life marked by repeated struggles and successes ... Johnny Cash comes alive in this book, and you will be a better person for having read it' Billy Graham 'Turner has produced a magisterial portrait of an American legend ... The result is not just one of the music books of the year, but a major achievement in the craft of biography' Nigel Williamson, Uncut 'Magnificent ... a masterful biography, parts of which are moving to the point of tears and the rest of which does what all good biographies of musical greats should do: send you scrambling to dig out the records' Irish Independent 'Looking back on his extraordinary life and career, that near-legendary status, like this ultra-sympathetic and well-written biography, seems no more than he deserves' Mail on Sunday