 Johnny Cash died in 2003 at the age of 71 |
Sales of Johnny Cash records have risen since the biopic Walk the Line opened in the UK last month, according to leading music retailer HMV. HMV reports sales of the singer's back catalogue have leapt by 676%. Currently 17 titles in its country music top 20 are Cash records.
In addition, four of its top 30 music DVDS and three of its top 20 books are by or about the late rock icon.
"These are the largest increases we've seen for many years," said a spokesman.
"As with other music icons such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Bob Dylan and Frank Sinatra, Cash has a significant fan base and his records will always sell.
"In February, however, there has been an enormous renewed interest in his work."
Interest surge
The Walk the Line soundtrack album featuring vocal performances from its stars Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon is also selling strongly, he added.
Online retailer Amazon.co.uk has also seen a surge of interest in the performer's back catalogue.
"At one stage last month he had eight titles in our top 25," said a spokesman. Currently the singer has two entries in the chart.
Johnny Cash died in September 2003 at the age of 71, four months after the death of his second wife, June Carter Cash.
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