© 2025 NPR Illinois
The Capital's Community & News Service since 1975
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Register to attend the 50th anniversary and Constitution Day events! (click the title)
Sept. 16, 5:30 PM Raising Politically Engaged Kids
Sept. 17, 11 AM The Constitution: From Principles to Practice - 5:30 PM The First Amendment Under Stress
Sept. 18, 6 PM Radio That Listens to You: 50 Years of NPR Illinois

Johnny Cash used his music to speak up for Native Americans

Johnny Cash is one of the most popular country singers in American history. A slew of hits in the early 1950s launched him into chart-topping success. By the 1960s, Cash used his music to address the inequities and mistreatment of Native Americans.

Colorado Public Radio’s Vic Vela reports.

Correction: The original version of this story misstated Bruce Abrams’ name. We regret the error. 

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.