One of the things I enjoy about attending a Buffalo Sabres home game is Doug Allen’s always-solid performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner” prior to the opening face-off.
It’s believed the first performance of our national anthem at a major sporting event was at the 1918 World Series. The tradition of singing the “Banner” grew during World War II and is now standard practice.
I have fairly strong opinions about how the song should – and shouldn’t – be performed.
For instance, I thought Carrie Underwood did a terrific job with her a capella version at this year’s Super Bowl. That’s how I like it – live, respectful and heartfelt – no lip-syncing; no Broadway production.
Over the years there have been some “star-mangled” versions of the anthem, starting with Robert Goulet butchering several lines in 1965 prior to the second Ali-Liston heavyweight title fight. The singer’s performance that night took more of a pummeling than Sonny did.
In 1968, at the height of the Vietnam War, Jose Feliciano strummed his way through a bluesy rendition of the song prior to a World Series game. Music historian John Gettings calls that version the “Lexington and Concord of ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ controversies,” saying the performance “opened the door for the countless interpretations we hear today.”
Some other hall-of-fame (or should I say shame?) versions of the anthem include:
- Roseanne Barr, who after screeching her way through a grating, off-key version before a major league baseball game in San Diego in 1990, parodied the players by grabbing her crotch and spitting, as the fans showered her with boos and jeers.
- Olympian Carl Lewis, who issued a mid-song apology during a particularly brutal rendition prior to an NBA All-Star game.
- Aerosmith’s lead singer Steven Tyler, opening the 2001 Indianapolis 500 on the harmonica, and then trying to out-screech Roseanne, before changing the last line to “home of the ‘Indianapolis 500.’” He apologized the next day with the memorable line, “I got in trouble my whole life for having a big mouth.”
- Before Sarah Palin, there was Michael Bolton, who needed to refer to notes written on the palm of his hand after forgetting the words before a Boston Red Sox playoff game in 2003.
- Rapper R. Kelly’s Las Vegas style rendition prior to a boxing match, complete with people dancing in the ring.
One of the most memorable performances of the anthem – both good and bad – took place before an NBA game when contest-winner Natalie Gilbert forgot the lyrics, and Maurice Cheeks, then head coach of the Portland Trailblazers, stepped in to lend a helping hand.
Now don’t get me wrong. I still enjoy hearing Jimi Hendrix crank out his historic screaming electric guitar version of the anthem from Woodstock, feedback and all. I just wouldn’t want to hear it before a professional sporting event.
Seems I get more patriotic with each passing year, especially since 9-11, and prefer to see the anthem performed in a dignified, more traditional manner. And, yes, I get goose bumps when the song is performed outside, followed by a military flyover.
My wife says I’m starting to sound a lot like my late father. I’ll take that as a compliment.
