Happy Independence Day, Everybody!

...through the only way I can: by embedding five different performances of "The Star Spangled Banner" from YouTube, of course!

First, here's the song played after any American won a Gold Medal during the '08 Beijing Olympics:



Next, here's pre-"Crack is Whack" Whitney Houston singing the anthem before Super Bowl XXV, which I still consider it as the best performance of the "Star Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl ever. I wasn't even alive during this time, yet I still remember nearly tearing up after watching this the first time!



And now, onto one of the most original and coolest performances of the anthem ever done. Here's Marvin Gaye singing "The Star Spangled Banner" before the 1983 NBA All-Star Game. The dude was so cool, even made the national anthem sound sexy:



Some call this the best performance of "The Star Spangled Banner" ever done. But is it really, or was it helped by the loud noise from the crowd? You be the judge! Here's Wayne Messmer during the 1991 NHL All-Star Game from Chicago Stadium:



And finally, what would this post be without Jimi Hendrix playing his rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" during Woodstock? A poorly thought out one, that's what! Finish things off right, Jimi!



Things should get back to normal Thursday when I get back from vacation. Enjoy the festivities on the 4th, everybody!

Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15




If you have any opinions on today's post, or if you want to suggest anything to mj15 for his next blog entry (tips, perhaps?), e-mail him at: mj1599@aol.com. Your e-mails are greatly appreciated.