The many talented Shel Silverstein (1930-1999)

I recently came across an article about the 1969 Johnny Cash performance at San Quentin prison where he brought the inmates to a standing ovation after singing "A Boy Named Sue". Both Johnny and the song became overnight sensations and it got me to wondering who wrote the song.

Lo and behold it was Shel Silverstein who wrote both the words and the music.  That was a surprise to me. I thought that he was a writer and illustrator of children's books, although I shouldn't use the word "just" because there was nothing ordinary about any of his books.

This example of his book "Where the Sidewalk Ends" proves this:

"There is a place where the sidewalk ends .... and before the street begins  ... and there the 

grass grows soft and white ... and there the sun burns crimson bright ... and there the moon

bird rests from his flight ...to cool in the peppermint wind." 

So, why am I posting about Shel Silverstein ?  He was a cartoonist, playwright, poet, performer and recording artist.  He also won a Grammy and was nominated for an Oscar for the song "I'm checking Out" for the film Postcards from the Edge.

I had no idea that he was so multi-talented and thought that might be of interest to others too.