“DEFYING GRAVITY” – by Des Kelly

This particular song, a rather strange one, also titled “The Executioner’s Song”, written by John Cacavas, based on a true story written by a very famous Author named Norman Mailer, about a convicted murderer named Gary Gilmore, sentenced to death for his crimes, only to have the sentence reduced to imprisonment, by his defence lawyers, and then DECIDE that he wished to be executed, rather than spend long years behind bars.

Gary Gilmore then educated himself in law, using books issued to him by the prison library, to have his reduced sentence revoked, and his own death sentence carried out.

A very strange tale indeed, beautifully penned by Mailer.

Gilmore had his sentence of death finally carried out, and this is where the SONG “Defying Gravity” makes it’s entry.

An epic documentary was then filmed, and Country Music Star Waylon Jennings was picked to sing the Cacavas song, as the background music for the documentary, climaxing as the body of this convicted murderer was being driven out of the prison premises for internment in an area picked by Gary’s relatives, no doubt.

The story of Defying Gravity does not end there either.

This writer did like the song, and decided to record it together with Waylon Jennings, in what he now terms a “Kelly-Klassic”. This is done “Singalong-Style”, & features Yours truly singing with the various Stars that I have admired. These songs are done purely as entertainment, and are not for sale. What Cacavas & Jennings did, to enhance Mailer’s book, Kelly is doing, to hopefully enhance the song that Defies Gravity. Hope you like it, folks. Let us remember Gary Gilmore and the fact that CRIME DOES NOT PAY.

Desmond Kelly.

(Editor-in-Chief) e’Lanka.