Chimesfreedom previously examined some of the famous versions of “The Star Spangled Banner” performed at sporting events, and it looks like there is another interesting version to add. Last night at the NFL season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants, Queen Latifah took a jazzy take on the National Anthem, somewhat reminiscent of the famous Marvin Gaye version. Many are divided on whether or not they like it, but I do like it.
Check it out for yourself.
What do you think of Queen Latifah’s take on the National Anthem? Leave your two cents in the comments.
This week on September 6, 1997, an estimated 2.6 billion people around the world watched on television the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. Before the death of the 36 year-old Diana Spencer in a car crash in Paris, people around the world admired her since her fairytale wedding through the end of her marriage and through her humanitarian work. Her tragic death at her young age catapulted her to an icon status like other celebrities who had died at young ages.
So it was not surprising how well the Elton John and Bernie Taupin song “Candle in the Wind,” originally written about Marilyn Monroe easily translated into a ballad about the English Rose. If you watched this performance at Westminster Abbey on TV all those years ago, the odds are good that you did not make it through with dry eyes.
What do you remember most about Princess Diana’s funeral? Leave your two cents in the comments.
On September 4, 2002, the first season of American Idol came to a close as they announced that Kelly Clarkson beat Justin Guarini for the top spot. It is difficult to believe it has been so long since the crowning of one of the most successful artists (if not the most successful singer) to come out of any reality television show.
I still remember the sense that everyone knew that Clarkson would win and then came Guarini’s over-the-top reaction but still genuine happiness for Clarkson. It also was our last time seeing Brian Dunkleman on stage co-hosting the season with Ryan Seacrest, who continued as a solo host in subsequent seasons.
But the most memorable part of it all was seeing Clarkson’s joy as she broke down in tears while singing her coronation song, “A Moment Like This.”
What we did not know then was how long American Idol, which was based on a British show Pop Idol, would continue and would be popular in various formats around the world. We also had no idea how that season helped transform American television into a factory for many lesser reality shows.
American Idol also was part of a sea change in the music business. New technologies challenged some talented struggling artists, leaving much of the market to reality show artists.
In other ways, the September 2002 finale also was a sign of a return to normalcy one year after the events of September 11, 2001. Once again Americans showed they could care so much for something silly. There is probably something wrong with that, but at the time the show just seemed like a lot of fun.
What do you think of the legacy of American Idol? Leave your two cents in the comments.
James Taylor recently started posting guitar lesson videos on his website. For us guitar players it is cool to see how he plays some of his classic songs. To be honest, I am not that great of a player so could use some additional illustrations for some of the chords, not to mention I do not have the fingernails for the intricate picking he does.
But even if you are not a guitar player, it is still cool to get an intimate view of the guitar playing like you have never seen it before. In the clip below, he plays “Fire and Rain.”
Who would you like to see give video guitar lessons? Leave your two cents in the comments.
Rumors have been swirling this week that Clint Eastwood is going to be a surprise “mystery speaker” at the 2012 Republican National Convention tonight. According to a revised schedule released on Monday, an unnamed speaker is going to be on the stage to address the convention after American Idol alum Taylor Hicks performs tonight. Commentators began speculating that the speaker might be Eastwood almost immediately, although other celebrity names have been floated like Tim Tebow. About an hour ago, though, Paul Gilbert, a close friend of Mitt and Ann Romney, relayed that the mystery speaker at the Republican National Convention is indeed Eastwood.
These days, when you mention Eastwood, I can’t help thinking of Bill Hader’s take on the actor’s “It’s Halftime in America” Super Bowl commercial for Chrysler.
August 31, 2012 Update: Clint Eastwood did show up to address the convention and brought along an empty chair. Most say he stole the show, but it depends on who you listen to whether or not that is a good thing. Judge for yourself by watching his address to the convention below if you missed it.
