Star Spangled Banner-Jose Feliciano (story and 1968 video)

This is the story of the very 1st personal version of the Usa Anthem, before Jimi hendrix, Aretha Franklin or Marvin Gaye ray Charles Whitney Houston. This version however destroyed his career: american radios, press and record companies stopped to play his records and boycotted his career, a career af a true genius then never has received all what he deserve

Jose Feliciano
Oct. 7, 1968
Puerto Rican blind singer/guitarist Jose Feliciano stunned the crowd at Tiger Stadium in Detroit, and the rest of America, when he strummed a slow, bluesy rendition of the national anthem before Game 5 of the World Series between Detroit and St. Louis. The 23-year-old's performance was the first nontraditional version seen by mainstream America, and it is generally considered the Lexington and Concord of Star-Spangled Banner controversies. The fiery response from Vietnam-weary America was not surprising, considering the tumultuous year for American patriotism. Good or bad, however, Feliciano's performance opened the door for the countless interpretations of the Star-Spangled Banner we hear today.

Category:

Music

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• Jose
• Feliciano
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• 60s
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• spangled
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• national
• anthem
• baseball
• detroit
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• 1968
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• lyrics

[6547811]

@rdangelo Idon't think this version is lame at all,a true artist would understand that what he did came from the heart,There are alot of artist today that just kill the anthem just because there using it as a vehicle to sell more records,Jose's version was pure and simple but full of soul.

[Halgrah]

I love this rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Sure beats the mess Christina Agularia made of it!

[612gideon]

Very Nice Thank  You

[spawnofwheezedog]

"I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet. But your kids are gonna love it."

[UglyChileanDoorman]

I'm still not over the way they wrapped my favorite drinking song around a flag.

[martianshoes]

I remember the controversy and backlash that Feliciano endured...but he did ultimately ride it out...as for versions...I am an anti-country person but Faith Hill did a really good job, I think it was at the 2000 superbowl...to me some of the "personal versions" are very American, and reflect the diversity of the US. Some, like Rosanne Barr's ...are just a bad joke.

[ricochecagou]

It did not ruin his career...go ahead and google the many albums he recorded after 1968, in fact he recorded chico and the man in 1975 a big hit in the US. He also composed the christmas classic "feliz navidad" which is played every year during the holidays....if there was any blacklist of his music that must be news for me and for the millions who embrace this talented musician.

[dlester46]

@Darkwolfhowlslak my apoplgy,sista ,the pic dosent do you justice

[dlester46]

@Darkwolfhowlslak amen brother

[RoTi39]

@6547811 it takes minimal talent to sing the notes EXACTLY the way they were written, it does take talent though to add your own flavour to it

[abujorjj]

Closed minded people hurt this legend's career and deprived us of more of his unique and soulful work. Wow, and imagine nowadays its commonplace for every talentless jack ass to attempt to put their spin on it even though they fall short. No wonder Hendrix got so much flack for his version as well.

[darius595]

beautiful renditon. the people who were booing dont' understand the concept of artistic interpretation. obviously they weren't true music lover's so who cares what they think. too bad that these mean spirited war mongerer's damaged this brilliant musician's career