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Health & Fitness

The National Anthem's Best Performances

Inspired by the BB&T Atlanta Open at Atlantic Station this week, Local Notes looks at some of the best and most memorable performances of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

All the coverage of the BB&T Atlanta Open at Atlantic Station and its high-profile Olympian players has us humming “The Star-Spangled Banner.” As America and the rest of the world gear up for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Local Notes looks at some of the best and most memorable performances of our national anthem.

Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, 1969

One of the most famous performances of “The Star-Spangled Banner” was also one of the most controversial. Playing with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Jimi Hendrix was a huge success to come out of the Woodstock Music Festival. His rendition of the national anthem, with its heavy reverb and guitar feedback that emulated falling rockets, enthralled listeners. Hendrix insisted he only meant “Go America!” by playing the anthem, not any anti-war sentiment. The song became one of Woodstock’s most standout performances and one of the defining moments of the 1960s.

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Whitney Houston at Super Bowl XXV, 1991

Whitney Houston’s Super Bowl performance definitely had people talking. The performance was so moving and powerful that rumors of lip-synching quickly spread. It was recorded as a single and released to raise funds for soldiers of the Persian Gulf War and their families. It was re-released in 2001, a portion being donated that time to the victims of September 11. That release was her last top ten single on the U.S. Hot 100 during her lifetime.

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The Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace, 2001

The changing of the guard is an event rich with tradition for the English people. But on September 13, 2001, a mere couple of days after the terrorist attack is the U.S., the Queen, for the first time ever, allowed the troops to play “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the ceremony. Many of the onlookers were American and greatly appreciated the gesture. Traffic stopped outside as the U.S. anthem played.

Marvin Gaye at the NBA All-Star Game, 1983

When Marvin Gaye was slated to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 1983 NBA game, things didn’t look so great. Gaye was at a particularly rocky point in his life, and the rehearsal didn’t go well. But the performance, with a changed time signature and a modern beat, is considered one of the best in history. It was only a year later that he was murdered, and the NBA game, being one of his final performances, will live on as part of his memory.

Military Choirs at Super Bowl XXXIX, 2005

Who could possibly be better to sing the national anthem than our military members themselves? The Super Bowl in 2005 brought together the U.S. Naval Academy Choir, the U.S. Air Force Academy Choir, the U.S. Military Academy Choir, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Choir and the Army Herald Trumpet Corps for an amazing rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” That’s about as good as it gets.

What are some of your favorite performances of our anthem?

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