Did Marvin Gaye change the singing of the Star Spangled Banner?

[jason bourne]

I wasn't sure, but it seems that way during the 1983 NBA All-Star Game. Here's what the LAL promo director said.

"Lon Rosen remembers it well — he was the director of promotions for the Los Angeles Lakers, the team hosting the All-Star game that year. He says Gaye's one rehearsal was bumpy. By this point in his life, Gaye was battling a serious drug addiction. And on game day, the singer was running perilously late. But then the lights dimmed, and Gaye made history."

https://youtu.be/QRvVzaQ6i8A

He sang it straight, too.

https://youtu.be/KPevEQ5NFlk

Then the following year at the 1984 NBA All-Star Game. Back to straight again.

https://youtu.be/4PKZ8k5vSkk

Any other memorable renditions?

[mhi]

First one is a GOAT performance.

[wojoaderge]

Jose Feliciano at 1968 WS

[eckoner]

You dont change the singing of the Star Spangled Banner!

It has been sung by over hundreds of thousands of different artist.

When an artist covers something they dont change it they simply add an artistic touch. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not.

Marvin simply hit it out of the park with his "RENDITION"

You should google the story its one for the history books.

[Sofia]

Carl Lewis version?

[Reeko]

Jose Feliciano at 1968 WS

This. Jose Feliciano was the first artist to make it his own, he went as far as to have the band change the tempo of the song adding a Latino flavor to the music. He was hugely criticized for it in the media, and I believe even received death threats. No doubt Marvin's performance was classic, it's a toss up between him and Whitney Houston for greatest National Anthem performance at a sporting event.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

No one will ever top what Enrico Palazzo did. Beautiful.

[Sofa King]

No one will ever top what Enrico Palazzo did. Beautiful.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxHnXajIex4[/youtube]

[theforumblue]

for better or worse.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls1YVhcLD2c[/youtube]