William Calley
1971 · Three Star 9108 · Cullman, Alabama
- Artist
- Roland Johnson
- Title
- William Calley
- Release
- William Calley / Fire in the Sky
- Year
- 1971
- Label
- Three Star # 9108
- Format
- 7" · Single
- Language
- English
- Country
- Cullman, Alabama, USA
- Songwriter
- Earl Nunn, W.R. Morris, R. Johnson
- Genre
- Country · Country
- Primary theme
- US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs
Annotation
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
Notes
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. 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.
About the artist
Born 9 October 1921, Alabama, USA. Died 5 February 2007, USA
Themes
My Lai · Patriotic · Pro-Calley · Calley-Scapegoat · Calley-Justice · Calley-Order · Anti-Government · Calley-Danger · Calley-Chaos
In collections
My Lai & Lt. William Calley Songs · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs