When Johnny Cash and Elton John hilariously switched outfits for a comedy skit

14 April 2023, 13:03

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Johnny Cash made his name for being the stern, almost gothic voice of country music back in the 1950s and beyond.

He wrote songs about love, death, crime, vengeance, and maintained his renegade status all the way throughout his lengthy and illustrious career in music.

But although he was the iconic rebel of country music, Cash was always willing to poke fun at himself.

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Although his career was in the relative wilderness from mainstream success throughout the remaining decade, Johnny Cash was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980.

And like any artist who has their incredible work validated with such awards, Johnny took his foot off the serious pedal and loosened up a bit.

In 1982, he agreed to host the iconic US comedy series Saturday Night Live, after being invited by then-producer Dick Ebersol to host an episode. 

None other than Elton John was the musical guest on that night, and when the two combined, it proved to be one of the show's funniest and most unexpected moments.

Elton John is certainly no stooge and has always been an artist that embraces the glitz and glamour of performance and fame.

But during their SNL episode together, the legendary piano man found himself being upstaged in the comedic setting by Cash.

Johnny Cash himself was in danger of being outshined by a vibrant and confident 21-year-old comedian named Eddie Murphy.

Unphased by Cash during their comedy skits, Murphy's sheer energy established him as one of comedy's next major superstars.

But Johnny Cash held his own, and the episode has widely been considered one of Saturday Night Live's most iconic in their long history on US television.

When Eddie Murphy did step away from the spotlight on the evening however, it let Johnny and Elton provide the show's most hilarious moment.

At one point in the show ahead of Elton's performance, the crowd audibly gasped as they saw Johnny Cash dressed in an unexpected attire.

The entire studio were in stitches after Cash revealed himself, donning a pink feature costume and ridiculously flamboyant glasses.

Johnny joked about the ‘Rocket Man’ singer’s unique showmanship and penchant for wearing outlandish clothing, which Cash was modelling to the amazement of the crowd.

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Elton then went on to perform ‘Ball & Chain’ and ‘Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)’ in a sheer black cowboy outfit like Cash, though the audience couldn't keep themselves from giggling.

It was an incredible moment (and largely forgotten) that showed Johnny's natural comic ability and Elton's good nature.

Cash and John came together for one moment of hilarity, though sadly they never came together to collaborate with music. Imagine if they did?