America’s national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”, has given music fans many reasons to laugh, cry, cheer, or even kneel over the years, but no one turned the performance of the patriotic tune into one hell of a sexy time quite like Marvin Gaye did during the 1983 NBA All-Star Game at The Forum in Inglewood, CA.
On February 13th, 1983, the NBA’s best gathered at the Los Angeles arena for the 33rd All-Star Game between Eastern and Western Conferences. Unbeknownst to those in attendance that night, all would eventually leave the game as winners after experiencing Gaye’s sensualized rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner”. Accompanied by only a drum-machine (high-tech equipment in 1983) Gaye turned all of The Forum into a baby-making palace of soul with his pre-game performance that still has yet to be topped.
In front of a packed house of world-class athletes, celebrities, and fans, Gaye walked up to the mic at center court in a stylish suit and sunglasses combination and delivered maybe the best version of the old song in American sports history that even George Washington wooden teeth and all could have gotten down with.
Revisit Marvin Gaye’s exceptional performance of America’s national anthem below.
Marvin Gaye – “The Star-Spangled Banner” – 2/13/83
[Video: Bob T]