Fire in the Sky

Annotation — US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs

Roland Johnson (1921-2007) - nicknamed "Racehorse" for doing a 100 yard dash in 10 seconds, while playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers Triple A team. After an injury he turned to music, and wrote a campaign song for George C. Wallace, Governor of Alabama, helping to raise funds. Note that Wallace supported the campaign to free Calley in 1971, as seen in his endorsement of the record "Pardon This Soldier (And Set Him Free)". Before that Roland Johnson supported Governor "Big Jim" Folsom. (1) In 1964 Johnson became the Mayor of Garden City, Alabama. On 25 June 2001 the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Alabama paid tribute to his public service. (2) Johnson released the song "William Calley" (Three Star Records # 9108), arguing that "those above him" in the army had made a mistake, and that Calley "was made a scapegoat". Johnson felt that the "guilty ones" were free while Calley, doing his duty, had lost his liberty. This did not take a strong pro-government or anti-war position, but focused on support for the soldier.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

About the artist

Unknown - the record is a 1971 Three Star Records single, 'William Calley' b/w 'Fire In The Sky' (matrix/BMI nos. 9108/9109), pressed by Southern Plastics and published by Three Star Pub., produced by W.R. Morris (lacquer cut by George Ingram). 'Fire In The Sky' is credited to writers Earl Nunn and Roland Johnson; the A-side 'William Calley' (referencing the convicted My Lai lieutenant, dating the release to 1971) adds W.R. Morris as a third writer. No biography for this Roland Johnson could be located; he is NOT the St. Louis soul singer of the same name (1948-2022), whose documented career…

Themes

Atomic · Cold War

In collections

US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs