Marvin gaye national anthem 1968

Gaye had intertwined his way into the sports world before. As The Undefeated reported, the first choice to perform that song had been Lionel Richie. It’s easy to forget now that everyone tends to sing it in their own way, but nobody had re-arranged the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ before Gaye did at the All-Star game.

We knew he was Marvin Gaye. He spent two years in Ostend, Belgium , ostensibly away from failed relationships, financial woes and drugs. The top two vote-getters draft their own teams. Louis Cardinals; the Tigers ended up winning in seven games. He really hit how we were feeling … in poverty, and our desperate cry for just recognition, and understanding.

In , a clean-shaven Marvin, wearing a standard-issue Motown suit and tie, stands ramrod-straight in front of the mike, hands clasped together. He talked about issues that resonated in the black community in a very meaningful way. Gaye, a linchpin of swagger, walked to center court at The Forum in a deep blue suit — jacket buttoned — wearing dark shades courtesy of an NBA gift package that had been distributed to all media and VIP guests.

Gaye was an avid sports fan — he even once tried out for the Detroit Lions. The first is Gaye practicing with a different beat; the second is the beat used at the All-Star Game. It was Feb. Even then the synergy of basketball icons and a musical icon made all the sense in the world.

The backlash derailed his Grammy-laden career for decades. And he floored Motown founder and his former brother-in-law Berry Gordy when he told him, at the apex of his prolific singing, songwriting and producing career, that he wanted to pursue boxing. Gaye, considered one of the most influential musicians in the 60s and 70s, was chosen to sing the national anthem for the 33rd NBA All-Star Game at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

Marvin Gaye definitely answered Jose Feliciano's claim that he lacked soul with that second version of the National Anthem. Players and coaches lined up on opposite free throw lines. 10/6/ Marvin Gaye sings "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to Game 4 of the World Series at Tiger Stadium Check out for more!.

Gaye attempted suicide by cocaine overdose in Hawaii in The years leading up to the All-Star performance were taxing — physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. Nowadays, fans have a huge say with regard to who starts in the game. That's the one most people remember and still talk about, not the one he did in But pressure came from a lot of different places to be more, do more, and that eventually cost him his life.

Being the head coach of the Lakers, and coaching the All-Star Game at the Great Western Forum that day … it just made it a special, almost spiritual-type moment for me. Over three minutes, Gaye brought his signature touch of soul to the national anthem. 10/6/ Marvin Gaye sings "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to Game 4 of the World Series at Tiger Stadium.

He was an important guy, artistically, at that time. Marvin Gaye’s National Anthem Audio clips courtesy of Gaye’s guitarist and musical director, Gordon Banks. But back then, Gaye was a feel-good comeback story. But there was something wrong with the shades. His music touched me in a deep, special and pers onal way.

Thomas was surprised Gaye knew his name. He really just wanted to be a crooner. By the time of the All-Star Game, Gaye had long since returned from his self-imposed European exile. He just wanted to sing and share his gift with the world. To his left is wife Anna, also standing, glamorously adorned in what looks like a fur-trimmed coat and hat.

Thirty-five years ago, of course, things were different.