Ring of fire

• 8th May 2006

The song 'Ring Of Fire' is to be unveiled as Liverpool FC's official FA Cup
Final anthem. The famous Johnny Cash classic has been revamped for the Reds' trip to the Millennium stadium in Cardiff next weekend. Echo and the Bunnymen frontman Ian McCulloch sings vocals on the track by the newly-formed band the Boot Room All-Stars. The three-minute song has been given a reworking by producer Tim Speed from Liverpool's Elevator studios, and Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has given it official backing. The song features the Kop singing the popular ditty during the Reds' last home game against Aston Villa. Ian Gordon, of song management company Oxygen Music, said: “It's a song that means so much to Liverpool fans and sounds great on the terraces. “Ian was keen to get involved as he's a fanatical Liverpool fan and has had a season ticket since he was a kid. It's eligible for the charts so with a bit of luck and support from the fans, we could have a No 1 on our hands.” Howard Gray, from Liverpool outfit Apollo 440, has been enlisted to provide the backing track and guitar riffs. Ring Of Fire was adopted by the travelling Red army during last year's triumphant Champions League campaign. The tune is already a big hit with the Liverpool players and was played by Jamie Carragher on the team bus on a recent away trip. It is hoped the release will make the national download single chart a week on Sunday, the day after the Cup final. It will be available to download on the club's website (link) next week. All proceeds will go towards the Marina Dalglish Appeal to help people with breast cancer.

Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo.