Jesse Morris

Jesse Morris or Punk Rock Johnny Cash (November 6, 1984 - November 6, 2011) was a busker from San Francisco, California. Six years after his death in 2011 a video of him playing a Johnny Cash song garnered 4 million views.

Jesse Morris
Jesse Morris (2010)
Jesse Morris (2010)
Background information
BornNovember 6, 1984
San Francisco California U.S.
DiedNovember 6, 2011(2011-11-06) (aged 27)
San Francisco California U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instrument(s)
Years active1997-2011
Formerly ofJesse Morris and the Man Cougars

Early life

He was born November 6, 1984.[1] He grew up in Oakland Hills, Oakland, California and began busking when he was about 13 years old. Morris had a baritone voice and people told him it was suited to Johnny Cash songs.[2] He did not begin busking in the subways of San Francisco until he was 18 years old.[3]

Career

He become known for performing cover songs from Merle Haggard, Black Flag and Johnny Cash.[1] Morris was a busker in San Francisco and he became well known for his Johnny Cash covers and he earned the nickname the Punk Rock Johnny Cash.[4] His best known Johnny Cash covers were Folsom Prison Blues and Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down.[1] He also worked as a bouncer for a bar, and he had a band called Jesse Morris and the Man Cougars. He often busked at the BART's 24th Street Mission station and Montgomery Street stations.[4] Before his death he had begun recording a solo album of country songs, but he never completed the record.[5]

In 2008 he was named Best BART Musician in 2008 by San Francisco Weekly.[6]

Death and legacy

Morris struggled with mental health issues and addiction.[6] Morris attempted suicide by hanging in September 2011. He was unsuccessful the first time but he successfully committed suicide November 6, 2011.[4]

A four-minute video of Morris busking while singing "Sunday Morning Comin' Down," went viral in 2017 garnering 4 million views.[7]

References
  1. Flynn, Fiona (2012). "RIP Jesse Morris - 'The Punk Rock Johnny Cash'". Entertainment. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  2. Broder Van Dyke, Michelle (13 January 2011). "Jesse Morris and the Man Cougars: Cash-like". SFGate. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  3. Austin, Buck (3 September 2010). "Jesse Morris: The Subway Johnny Cash". Alarm Magazine. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  4. "R.I.P. Jesse Morris: San Francisco's Punk Rock Johnny Cash". SFWeekly. 11 November 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  5. Wilkey, Robin (16 November 2011). "Jesse Morris, Local Punk Rock Legend, Dies At 28 (VIDEO)". HuffPost News. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  6. Shoriak, Anna (16 November 2011). "Obituary: Local performer Jesse Morris loved by Bay Area music community". The Guardsman. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  7. Reuter, Annie (26 February 2017). "Street Musician's Johnny Cash Cover Goes Viral". Taste of Country. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
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