The Story of “Walking in the Footsteps of Your Mind”

December 28, 2011 at 21:22

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It was a cold pre-dawn morning that January 17th 1975 when Russ Marsh looked up from his work to check the time – 3:10 am. He had struggled for hours to complete the new song he was writing, “Don’t Ever Say Good-bye”.

An eerie feeling had pursued him through the night; his thoughts kept turning to death – and to the beginnings of yet another song. Finally, he gave into the new inspiration and began to write “Walking in the Footsteps of Your Mind”. It came quickly, and proved to be one of Russ’ most moving songs.

Two years passed and Gary Gilmore waited on death row at Utah State Prison. He had committed two nonsensical and brutal murders in the Provo area. As his execution date approached, he constantly requested a particular song to be played on K.S.O.P. radio. It was “Walking in the Footsteps of Your Mind” by Russ Marsh. The impact was overwhelming.

Radio stations all over the world were calling K.S.O.P. about Russ’ song. United Press and Associated Press picked up on the story. There were calls from London Times and the National Enquirer.

Walking in the Footsteps of Your Mind” held the only solace that Gary Gilmore could find. It became famous overnight. Then, on January 17th 1977, “Walking in the Footsteps of Your Mind” played over the air one last time for Gary as he marched out to be executed. This was five minutes before the execution and the song was exactly 4 minutes 40 seconds long.

He died exactly two years to the day from that cold morning when Russ wrote the song.

I walked alone today on the seashore.
I walked in the steps you made the night before.
Why did you walk away?
Now I’m walking in the footsteps of your mind.

When the wind kissed the water and the waves took you away,
Now I’m drowning from the memories of today.
Now I’m walking in the footsteps of your mind.

Why did you decide to take your life?
And leave me here alone with memories I can’t hide………..
Yes, they’ll find me,
‘Cause I’m walking in the footsteps of your mind.

We’ll meet on heaven’s shore and there won’t be no more of loneliness to hide,
We’re walking side by side.
You’ll never leave again,
‘Cause I’m walking in the footsteps of your mind.

When the wind kissed the water and the waves took you away,
Now I’m drowning from the memories of today.
Now I’m walking in the footsteps of your mind.

When the wind kissed the water and the waves took you away,
Now I’m drowning from the memories of today.
Now I’m walking in the footsteps of your mind.

Now I’m walking in the footsteps of your mind.

 

The TRUE “Executioner’s Song”

 

This was the song Gary Gilmore asked for and was played by KSOP Radio just before his execution, as explained in the January 17, 1977 letter from Larry Hunter, Program Director in KSOP:

“So it looks like one of Gray Gilmore’s last request was to listen to your song,
“I’M WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF YOUR MIND”. 
This could be the theme of the movie they will do on his life.”

But why wasn’t “I’M WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF YOUR MIND” used for the movie,”The Executioner’s Song”?

The answer perhaps lie in the note from NSD Bunch………

 

  • Listen to the Song!

    Here is the Music Player. You need to installl flash player to show this cool thing!