Kate Smith: God Bless America 1974 Flyers' Stanley Cup

[ultimatefan1015]

@MegaDogwater fuck off Son of a bitch. I'd like to see you go out and have the courage to sing to thousands of people

[ultimatefan1015]

Nobody is as great as Kate smith was.... LET'S GO FLYERS!!!!!!!!!!!

[DomBellicini]

GO FLYERS!!!

[oshuabailey38j]

Your video is popular on Muscat

[COLR13]

Lauren hart is pretty good too and she's cute

[COLR13]

Legendary

[dukesfan10]

Unfortunately this was before my time but nobody can top Kate Smith (sorry, Lauren Hart).

[jwbhomer]

Shoulda quit while she could still sing. This is just embarrassing.

[MegaDogwater]

Rush should have played the national anthem :>

[sgtcrab1]

Orr and Esposito shook her hand at the end!

[itostrong923v]

This video went viral on Yerevan

[IIxROOKxII]

Kate Smith is a fucking legend and will never be forgotten by the orange and black!

[MegaDogwater]

@IIxROOKxII

ive been a flyer fan since 1972..kate smith is a nice looking woman,,kinda big though :>

[hmaltravers]

Like the announcer said, a tough act to follow. God Bless not only America, but Kate as well. RIP Kate.

[skinwalkerxxx]

the piano guy sucked

[joe579003]

@skinwalkerxxx That's an organ, not a piano.

[h0gwartz]

no one sang it like Kate Smith

[jettyfoot]

Love the Rangers. Hate the Flyers. But, this is one of the greatest traditions in all of hockey ever.

[tranquilitybase]

What's more wonderful than this? Drop the puck on 2011 already!

[crazyfan740]

One of the best, if not the best, renditions of "God Bless America" ever. This is great to watch today on the Fourth of July. GO KATE!

[Shelver92]

Gotta love how Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito skated to Kate Smith and shook her hand. She was iconic!!

[markmarky]

@Shelver92 They did it to try and JINX the spell that the song had on the team & fans. Didn't quite work!

[photosfromphilly]

I worked on the Flyers/Spectrum ice crew from (1973-1978). I helped roll out the carpet for Kate Smith, and just before the game, a hole in the Bruins net was discovered. I got a few strands of the nylon twine and crawled into the net, as Bruins' goalie, Gil Gilbert, was scraping the ice surface. The snow was spraying over me, while Linesman John DiAmico was cursing me out. "Get this fucken net fixed we need to start this game."

I created a blog of my spectrum memories: google roger barone

[dukesfan10]

Clearly the 2010-11 Flyers didn't play this video enough during their season or they'd still be in the playoffs

[alanrdowney]

I still think about that 36-3-1 record (which of course was about to 37-3-1 with the most important win in Flyer history - before or since) and think how astounding that is. And most of the games were regular season games with no OT. In a lot of ways, this may well have been her most famous performance of that song because of what happened about 3 hours later. I'm a Bruin fan, but this video still gives me goos bumps 37 years later - even if the Bruins did lose the Cup on that day...

[mully1441]

I was there both times she sang with my dad. I tear up every time I watch this. Thank you for bringing back a great memory.

[LouisDE1]

I rememer how much my parents revered this great lady as we all sat around the old TV set waiting for her to sing (after the TV took a few minutes to warm up, of course -lol)

[smegghead9991]

I remember watching the Bullies on WPHL ch 17 as a kid and always hoping that God Bless America would be sung instead of the National Anthem. Now at 50 Instead of goose bumps I get tears in my eyes, and though I root all season long for my local Vancouver Canucks, I long for the days of hearing how Gary Dornhoefer, Bobby Clarke, Rick MacLeish, Bill Barber et al, would score for a case of TastyKakes! Never again will a team like the Broadstreet Bullies be able to win a cup.

[gbtrat]

One of the best parts about this video is the way the crowd goes bonkers when she comes out. I can't stand the Flyers but this tradition is one of the best in sports. I know these days they pair a video of Kate Smith singing with Lauren Hart but tonight of all nights I hope they just play the Kate Smith video alone.

[AlphaNittwit]

3 people like Osama Bin Laden

[DartsRme312]

THIS HAS GOT TO GIVE YOU GOOSEBUMPS...IT'S AWESOME!

[digipimp]

After all these years, this clip still gives me goosebumps. God bless YOU, Kate. R.I.P.

[goesdownsinging]

The song was great, but her 2nd period fight with Terry O'Reilly was sickening. 

[MerleOberon]

Our Kate RIP...

[phillyfanmatt]

Tears.

[OldsVistaCruiser]

Two people must be Bruins fans.

[12gianna]

@OldsVistaCruiser Actually Im a Bruins fan was watched this stanley cup finals and I love this video and respect the HELL out of you Flyers and believe me so did the Bobby Orr and the Big Bad Bruins, we will never see teams like the Broadstreet Bullies and the B's again, although I would love to see some of these cheap guys that play now try and get away with stuff when " The hammer" Dave Schultz was on the ice! Again NO TRUE BRUINS FAN disrespects those Flyers!!!

[OldsVistaCruiser]

@12gianna - I was just being a smart-alec, as the Bruins were the Flyers' opponents in that game and series. Thank you very much for your respect! I have a friend from Ottawa, Ontario - and no, he's not a Senators fan. He's a Bruins fan! After last year, I can sincerely understand why you have so much respect for the Flyers. What a comeback!

[davetactics]

fuck goose bumps im dewey eyed

[MARILYN19481]

NO ONE has ever sang it better than KATE.

[MegaDogwater]

@MARILYN19481

a dog can sing that song better than kate smith :>

[Spunky41182]

As I click on this link to view this video... it says 19,077 views... which for flyer fans was the original capacity of the Spectrum... and of this memorable occasion :)

[AshburnStadium]

@Spunky41182 - Did they take out 2,070 seats between 1967 and 1974? I remember the capacity crowd of the Spectrum to be 17,007 for MANY years, especially during the Broad Street Bullies years. I also saw a picture of the 1967 opening of the Spectrum, and there was no third level then.

[AshburnStadium]

From flyershistory (dot) com: PHILADELPHIA - Kate Smith's piano got a standing ovation. That's how excited, how zany and how ready the 17,007 fans in the Spectrum became yesterday, sure as they were that they were with a winner at last.

[Spunky41182]

@AshburnStadium oops... i meant 17,007

[Spunky41182]

but it was 17,007... then 17.077 i think in 76... but in the final seasons i swear it was 17,380

[islandguy911]

Kate Smith, being a bruins fan I hated her, but after forgiving the flyers in the 90s, god even in death she sook those playes and fan's up for quti a show, I liked the flyers big time now and love ya Kate. Wendell In canada, enjoy your season guy's, I got to go see my team start the quest to beat you out to for the cup in the east, but if kate has it her way, well let us pray: lol everyday :) :)) she even shakes me up and feel her love for her home country. :) wow :))

[Cap285]

Blackhawks had Wayne Messmer.

Flyers had Kate Smith.

Chicago Stadium

The Spectrum

The good old days.

[DartsRme312]

@Cap285 MESSMER AND THE MAD HOUSE WERE THE BEST!

[Cap285]

@DartsRme312  Savard, Secord and Larmer!

[heavenslaw1]

I love Phiadelphia.

[Jiltedin2007]

Very Impressive! The Flyers were 36-3-1 on Home Games when Kate Smith sang "God Bless America", meaning that the Flyers had a .913 Winning Percentage in those games. But in reality, the Flyers were younger and a much hungrier team than the Bruins were in 1974. I was 11 years old at the time of this Stanley Cup Final, and as a Bruins Fan I was very much heartbroken from this Final.

But in hindsight, the Flyers deserved the cup more than the Bruins that year! They wanted it more and got it!

[STU676]

My goodness....Amazing !!!

[siberhuskyfan]

No matter how many times I watch this I'm still amazed. Whoever hit the dislike should have their head examined.

[rogermaris1961]

As a Canadian citizen and a Toronto Maple Leafs fan this gives me chills

[STU676]

@rogermaris1961

I can imagine

[alanrdowney]

As a Bruin fan, I remember this particular rendition very well. Note that Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito (the Bruins two superstars) came up to shake Smith's hand after she finished. It obviously didn't help the Bruins - the Flyers won 1-0 and won the Cup. And coachbill1962, Roger Doucet's renditions of the US and especially the Canadian anthems are the stuff of legend. It was every bit as much a part of any Canadiens' game at the Forum as the actual game itself. I get Chills when I hear him.

[coachbill1962]

Without a doubt, Kate had the best US pre-game anthem but if your too young to remember Roget Doucet in the Montreal Forum then you have to search it and listen. I promise goose bumps just like good ole Kate brings.

[TroyDowling4]

God Bless Kate Smith... a little hot on the organ...

[valleyfleet]

OH God, what can say about good ole Kate Smith? This is great in so many ways. Thanks for posting this classic!!

[cjm608]

this is a damn shame this doesnt have 20 million hits! it would bring us together!

[5inthehole]

As a Bruins fan we hated her because when she sang Philly was almost unbeatable. And look what happend, Flyers 1 Bruins 0. Who would of bet that the powerful Boston Bruins offense would be blanked that 6 game..How many times did the Bruins ring the post in that game 6? You couldn't make me believe she didn't have something to do with Philly's 2 Cups. This is what made hockey so great in the 70's....all these little special things!

[outreach13]

I was 14 when I watched this on TV and thought it was the coolest sports thing I had ever seen. Still do, 36 years later. Most exciting pre game event leading up to one of the most exciting hockey games I've ever watched. Kate must be smiling in heaven every time she hears the Flyers fans go nuts whenever she and Lauren sing together. Hope we hear them sing it on Broad Street next June!

[outreach13]

I was 14 when I watched this on TV and throught it was the coolest sports thing I had ever seen. Still do, 36 years later. Most execiting pre game event leading up to one of the most exciting hockey games I've ever watched. Kate must be smling in heaven every time she hears the Flyers fans go nuts whenever she and Lauren sing together. Hope we hear them sing it on Broad Street next June!

[spaceyrules]

Orr and Esposito shaking her hand! Classic!

[nicenolaguy]

So the Saints reminded me of another memorable moment in sports. The Philly Flyers in the in the semi-finals for the Stanley Cup against the Bruins as I recall had their "good luck charm" Kate Smith appear. It was an event only a local would really enjoy and I lived in S Philly at the time. I was in the lower section center for this, go Saints

[eburnsed]

WHAT A CLASSY LADY

[jonbadart]

One of my all-time favorite sports clips and the game hasn't even started.

[andyr1313]

There is just something about hearing an anthemic song accompanied by an organ that sounds right...

[usaheart1]

The legendary Miss Kate Smith! A voice for ALL generations. Wow.....

[TheLousyCafe1960]

The GREAT Kate! What a class act.

[GTABobby]

Let's go Philly!

Win this game tonight (game 4) go into Chicago with momentum, win game 5 and then come back home with Game 6 and make Kate Smith sing her magic, and it'll be 1974 exactly.

[evenmix1]

KATE SMITH lives forever in philadelphia

[mmb33541]

Kate Smith spent much of the last years of her life in Lake Placid, New York. Each day at 12 noon the local radio station WIRD-AM aired her recording.

In 1980, one hour after the US Olympic Hockey team won the Gold Medal, a lone trumpeter with an American flag draped over his shoulder a la Jim Craig, played God Bless America from the roof of the restaurant which was directly in front of the Olympic Arena. It was beautiful.

[janethann2]

woooo hooo 

[phillyfanmatt]

EPIC. Goose bumps like few other things give. GO FLYERS!

[PHILLYDEMOCRAT]

@ASHBURN STADIUM LETS FOCUS ON THE goode THE CTY HAS TO OFFER

[PHILLYDEMOCRAT]

RIZZO BOMBED MOVE POWELTON VILLAGE

[AshburnStadium]

I'm 10 years old again!

In Philadelphia, "it ain't BEGUN 'til the fat lady sings!" With Kate's record (85-22-4 as of May 24, 2010), it's usually OVER for the opponent.

This was performed on May 19, 1974 at the clinching game of the Stanley Cup finals. The Flyers won that game over the Boston Bruins by a score of 1-0 in front of Bernie Parent and a Spectrum capacity crowd of 17,007 screaming fans.

[AshburnStadium]

Updated Kate record - 86-22-4 as of June 2, 2010.

[AshburnStadium]

Update as of the end of the 2009-10 NHL season: 87-23-4.

[TheGamegangsta2]

@AshburnStadium 87-22-4

[AshburnStadium]

@TheGamegangsta2 - Kate's record is now up to 23 losses. Game 6 in Philadelphia was a loss where the Blackhawks hoisted the Stanley Cup on Wachovia Center (soon to be Wells Fargo Center) ice.

[kieranshane]

@AshburnStadium Boston knew it was over when Kate came walking out....and her "grand" entrance....LOL!

[PHILLYDEMOCRAT]

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS #1

[PHILLYDEMOCRAT]

STANLEY CUP 2010

[PHILLYDEMOCRAT]

PHILLY IS ON THE MOVE go flyers

[AshburnStadium]

@PHILLYDEMOCRAT - Tongue jammed firmly in cheek, "MOVE" isn't a good thing to mention in Philly!!

How many mayors does it take to blow up a city block? One if you're Goode! ;-)

GO FLYERS!

[PHILLYDEMOCRAT]

KATE SMITH CAUSED THIS

[PirateProf]

Thank you!!! I remember watching this live as a young kid in Philly. Living in the SF Bay Area now, but still love my Flyers!!!!

[suzdefrance]

YEA FLY TO THE CUP BABY!!!!

[miltonboy73]

GO HABS GO!!!!

[grdavis253]

Goose bumps

[heavenslaw1]

@grdavis253

Goose bumps everytime. I was 11 years old. This makes me cry tears of joy. I remember my whole family sitting there in front of the TV watching Kate Smith sing this song and hearing Gene Hart say "The Flyers win the Stanley Cup...The Flyers win the Stanley Cup..." I love Philadelphia.

[bigfatguy]

Secret weapon!!!!

[supersingingsquirrel]

LETS GO FLYERS!!!!!

[ariadne38]

Those were the days. Never to be forgotten.