List of national anthem performers at the Super Bowl
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/Jennifer_Hudson_sings_national_anthem_at_Super_Bowl_43.jpg/250px-Jennifer_Hudson_sings_national_anthem_at_Super_Bowl_43.jpg)
This article is a list of national anthem performers at the Super Bowl. The U.S. national anthem ("The Star-Spangled Banner") has been performed at all but one Super Bowl since its first year in 1967; Vikki Carr sang "America the Beautiful" in place of the anthem at Super Bowl XI in 1977. Since Super Bowl XVI in 1982, famous singers or music groups have performed the anthem at the vast majority of Super Bowl games.
Beginning with Super Bowl XLIII in 2009, "America the Beautiful" is sung before the national anthem every year and was followed by the presentation of the colors and a military flyover preceded the anthem. Some early Super Bowls featured marching bands performing the anthem, and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Performances[]
No. | Yearly | Venue | Performer(s)[1] |
---|---|---|---|
I | 1967 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, California | The Pride of Arizona, Michigan Marching Band, and UCLA choir |
II | 1968 | Orange Bowl, Miami | GSU Tiger Marching Band |
III | 1969 | Lloyd Geisler of the Washington National Symphony Orchestra (trumpet)[2] An NFL.com reference ([1]) states that Anita Bryant performed the anthem, but NBC's broadcast of game, available from the Paley Center for Media's collection, shows that Geisler performed it. | |
IV | 1970 | Tulane Stadium, New Orleans | Doc Severinsen,[3] Pat O'Brien (actor who played Knute Rockne),[4] Southern University Band[5] |
V | 1971 | Orange Bowl, Miami | Tommy Loy (trumpet) |
VI | 1972 | Tulane Stadium, New Orleans | U.S. Air Force Academy Chorale |
VII | 1973 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | Little Angels (children's choir) of Chicago's Holy Angels Church |
VIII | 1974 | Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas | Charley Pride |
IX | 1975 | Tulane Stadium, New Orleans | New Orleans Chapter of the Society for the Preservation of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America--Chorus (2) |
X | 1976 | Orange Bowl, Miami | Tom Sullivan |
XI | 1977 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California | None (Vikki Carr sang "America the Beautiful") |
XII | 1978 | Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans | Phyllis Kelly of Northeast Louisiana University (now the University of Louisiana at Monroe) |
XIII | 1979 | Orange Bowl, Miami | The Colgate Thirteen |
XIV | 1980 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena | Cheryl Ladd |
XV | 1981 | Superdome, New Orleans | Helen O'Connell |
XVI | 1982 | Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan | Diana Ross |
XVII | 1983 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena | Leslie Easterbrook |
XVIII | 1984 | Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida | Barry Manilow |
XIX | 1985 | Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California | San Francisco Boys Chorus, San Francisco Girls Chorus, , and |
XX | 1986 | Superdome, New Orleans | Wynton Marsalis (trumpet) |
XXI | 1987 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena | Neil Diamond |
XXII | 1988 | Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego | Herb Alpert (trumpet) |
XXIII | 1989 | Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami | Billy Joel |
XXIV | 1990 | Superdome, New Orleans | Aaron Neville |
XXV | 1991 | Tampa Stadium, Tampa | Whitney Houston with Florida Orchestra directed by Jahja Ling |
XXVI | 1992 | Metrodome, Minneapolis | Harry Connick Jr. ASL (American Sign Language): Lori Hilary |
XXVII | 1993 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena | Garth Brooks ASL: Marlee Matlin |
XXVIII | 1994 | Georgia Dome, Atlanta | Natalie Cole ASL: Courtney Keel Foley |
XXIX | 1995 | Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami | Kathie Lee Gifford ASL: Heather Whitestone |
XXX | 1996 | Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona | Vanessa Williams ASL: Mary Kim Titla |
XXXI | 1997 | Superdome, New Orleans | Luther Vandross ASL: Erika Rachael Schwarz |
XXXII | 1998 | Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego | Jewel ASL: Phyllis Frelich |
XXXIII | 1999 | Pro Player Stadium, Miami | Cher ASL: Speaking Hands |
XXXIV | 2000 | Georgia Dome, Atlanta | Faith Hill ASL: Briarlake Elementary School Signing Choir |
XXXV | 2001 | Raymond James Stadium, Tampa | Backstreet Boys ASL: Tom Cooney |
XXXVI | 2002 | Superdome, New Orleans | Mariah Carey ASL: Joe Narcisse |
XXXVII | 2003 | Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego | The Chicks ASL: Janet Maxwell |
XXXVIII | 2004 | Reliant Stadium, Houston | Beyoncé ASL: Suzanna Christy |
XXXIX | 2005 | Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida | Combined choirs of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy (2), and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets ASL: Wesley Tallent |
XL | 2006 | Ford Field, Detroit | Aaron Neville (2) and Aretha Franklin Dr. John (piano accompaniment) ASL: Angela LaGuardia |
XLI | 2007 | Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida | Billy Joel (2) ASL: Marlee Matlin (2) |
XLII | 2008 | University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona | Jordin Sparks ASL: A Dreamer[6] |
XLIII | 2009 | Raymond James Stadium, Tampa | Jennifer Hudson ASL: Kristen Santos |
XLIV | 2010 | Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens | Carrie Underwood ASL: Kinesha Battles |
XLV | 2011 | Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas | Christina Aguilera ASL: Candice Villesca[7] |
XLVI | 2012 | Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis | Kelly Clarkson ASL: Rachel Mazique[8] |
XLVII | 2013 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans | Alicia Keys[9] ASL: John Maucere[10] |
XLVIII | 2014 | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey | Renée Fleming ASL: Amber Zion |
XLIX | 2015 | University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona[11] | Idina Menzel ASL: Treshelle Edmond[12] |
50 | 2016 | Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California | Lady Gaga ASL: Marlee Matlin (3)[13] |
LI | 2017 | NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas | Luke Bryan ASL: Kriston Lee Pumphery[14] |
LII | 2018 | U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota | Pink ASL: Alexandria Wailes[15] |
LIII | 2019 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia | Gladys Knight ASL: Aarron Loggins |
LIV | 2020 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens | Demi Lovato ASL: Christine Sun Kim |
LV | 2021 | Raymond James Stadium, Tampa | Jazmine Sullivan and Eric Church ASL: Warren Snipe |
LVI | 2022 | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California | TBD |
Multiple and hometown performances[]
Acts that have performed three times:
- Marlee Matlin (ASL), (XXVII, XLI, and 50)
Acts that have performed two times:
- GSU Tiger Marching Band (II and IX)
- Billy Joel (XXIII and XLI)
- Aaron Neville (XXIV and XL)
- U.S. Air Force Academy Chorale[16] (VI and XXXIX)
Singers that performed in or near their hometown metropolitan area:
- Beyoncé (XXXVIII, Houston)
- Aretha Franklin (XL, Detroit)
- Al Hirt (IV, New Orleans)
- Aaron Neville (XXIV & XL, New Orleans)
- Diana Ross (XVI, Detroit)
- Jordin Sparks (XLII, Phoenix)
- Gladys Knight (LIII, Atlanta)
Notable performances[]
The performance by Whitney Houston at Super Bowl XXV in 1991, during the Gulf War, has been for many years regarded as one of the best renditions ever.[17][18][19][20][21][22] It was released as a single a few weeks later, appeared on the album Whitney: The Greatest Hits, and was re-released as a single in 2001 shortly after the September 11 attacks.
The 1992 performance marked the first time American Sign Language was used alongside the lead singer.
Faith Hill performed the anthem at Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000.[23] It became popular in country radio. Following the September 11 attacks, her version entered the country singles chart at number 35, despite not being released as an official single, and reentered the same chart at number 49 in July 2002.[citation needed]
At Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, in an emotional and groundbreaking performance, soprano Renée Fleming became the first opera singer to perform the national anthem.[24]
Controversies[]
Since 1993, the NFL has required performers to supply a backup track.[17] This came after Garth Brooks walked out of the stadium prior to his XXVII performance. Only 45 minutes before kickoff, he refused to take the stage, due to a dispute with NBC. Brooks requested that the network premiere his new music video "We Shall Be Free" during the pregame. The network chose not to air the video, due to content some felt was disturbing imagery. Brooks had also refused to pre-record the anthem, which meant the league had nothing to play if he left. Television producers spotted Jon Bon Jovi in the grandstands, and were prepared to use him as a replacement. After last-minute negotiations, NBC agreed to air a clip of the video during the broadcast of the game,[25] and Brooks was coaxed back into the stadium and sang.[22]
Following the "wardrobe malfunction" controversy during Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004, all scheduled performers for Super Bowl XXXIX were chosen under heavy scrutiny.[26] Game organizers decided not to use a popular music vocalist.[27] The combined choirs of the U.S. Military Academy, the Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets were invited to perform. This was the first time since the second inauguration of President Richard Nixon in 1973 that all four service academies sang together.[16][28]
Two days after Super Bowl XLIII, it was revealed that Jennifer Hudson also had lip synced.[17]
At the beginning of Super Bowl XLV, Christina Aguilera sang the lyrics incorrectly. Instead of singing "O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming", the pop star sang "What so proudly we watched at the twilight's last gleaming".[29][30] According to the New York Times, she also changed "gleaming" to "reaming".[31]
Other patriotic performances[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Sandy_Hook_Choir_during_Super_Bowl_XLVII.jpg/250px-Sandy_Hook_Choir_during_Super_Bowl_XLVII.jpg)
The following Super Bowls featured other patriotic performances besides the national anthem. Since 2009, "America the Beautiful" is sung before the national anthem.[32]
- Pledge of Allegiance
- 1969: Apollo 8 crew
- 1970: Apollo astronauts
- 1973: Apollo 17 crew
- 1974: Charley Pride
- 1977: Vikki Carr (in place of the national anthem)
- 2001: Ray Charles
- 2002: Mary J. Blige, Marc Anthony and the Boston Pops Orchestra
- 2005: Alicia Keys and a tribute video to the recently deceased Ray Charles
- 2009: Faith Hill
- 2010: Queen Latifah
- 2011: Lea Michele
- 2012: Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert
- 2013: Jennifer Hudson with the Sandy Hook Elementary School Chorus[33][34]
- 2014: Queen Latifah with the New Jersey Youth Chorus
- 2015: John Legend[12]
- 2016: U.S. Armed Forces Chorus[35]
- 2017: Phillipa Soo, Renée Elise Goldsberry and Jasmine Cephas Jones.[36]
- 2018: Leslie Odom Jr.[37]
- 2019: Chloe x Halle
- 2020: Yolanda Adams
- 2021: H.E.R.
- 2003: Céline Dion
See also[]
- Super Bowl
- List of Super Bowl halftime shows
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Super Bowl – Entertainment". National Football League. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
- ^ "NBC Broadcast of Super Bowl III". Paley Center for Media. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- ^ "Super Bowl 2020: What the world looked like 50 years ago, when the Chiefs were in Super Bowl IV".
- ^ "Super Bowl 2020: What the world looked like 50 years ago, when the Chiefs were in Super Bowl IV".
- ^ "Super Bowl IV". n/a. January 11, 1970. 180 minutes in. CBS Sports.
- ^ Wong, Scott (January 29, 2008). "Living the dream: Prof to sign anthem for deaf". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ "Texan to Sign the National Anthem at the Super Bowl". National Association of the Deaf. February 6, 2011. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- ^ "Super Bowl XLVI: PepsiCo and the NAD". National Association of the Deaf. February 5, 2012. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- ^ King (January 19, 2013). "Alicia Keys to Perform National Anthem at Super Bowl XLVII". KING Says. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- ^ "NAD, NFL, & CBS Rally to Improve the Super Bowl Experience". National Association of the Deaf. February 3, 2013. Archived from the original on August 1, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- ^ "Super Bowl Tickets 2015". Ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Idina Menzel to sing National Anthem at Super Bowl". National Football League. January 16, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- ^ "Lady Gaga will sing national anthem at Super Bowl 50". National Football League. Associated Press. February 2, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
- ^ "Luke Bryan will sing national anthem at Super Bowl LI". National Football League. January 22, 2017.
- ^ "Pink will sing national anthem at Super Bowl LII". National Football League. January 8, 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Byron, Master Sgt. David (February 1, 2005). "Super Bowl goes super blue". Air Force Print News. af.mil. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Hudson's Super Bowl Lip-Sync No Surprise to Insiders". ABC News. February 3, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- ^ "A fitting wartime rendition". St. Petersburg Times. February 4, 1991.
- ^ "Warner can't match '07 magic vs. Steelers". Chicago Tribune. February 2, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- ^ "Our National Anthem: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly". Rolling Stone. July 3, 2007. Archived from the original on October 31, 2007. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- ^ Super Bowl XXV Highlight Film, NFL Films, 1991
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Oh, Say, Can She Sing". St. John's Downtown. January 31, 2004. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- ^ Dunkerley, Beville; Leahhey, Andrew; Parton, Chris; Moss, Marissa R.; Shelburne, Craig (September 21, 2015). "Faith Hill's 10 Greatest Live Performances". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
- ^ "Opera star Renee Fleming to sing national anthem at Super Bowl". CBS Sports. January 21, 2014. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
- ^ "Discography". The Official Garth Brooks Official Website. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009.
- ^ Collins, Scott; James, Meg (February 4, 2005). "The Nation; After '04 Fiasco, Super Bowl Wants to Avoid Going Offsides". The Los Angeles Times (Home ed.). p. A01.
- ^ Sandomir, Richard (February 14, 2005). "Football? They Play a Game?". New York Times. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- ^ "Cadets to sing at Super Bowl XXXIX". Air Force Print News. af.mil. January 25, 2005. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
- ^ Callow, James (February 7, 2011). "Super Bowl 2011: Christina Aguilera defends national anthem gaffe". The Guardian.
- ^ Schabner, Dean (February 6, 2011). "Christina Aguilera Mangles 'Star-Spangled Banner' at Super Bowl". ABC News.
- ^ Harris, Elizabeth A. (February 6, 2011). "Singing, Aguilera Trips O'er Ramparts". New York Times.
- ^ "Super Bowl Entertainment". Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ Weseling, Chris (January 30, 2013). "Sandy Hook, Newtown to be represented in Super Bowl". National Football League. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
- ^ Hudson, Jennifer (January 31, 2013). "I'm blessed & honored to be singing "America The Beautiful" with Sandy Hook elementary school chorus at the Super Bowl Sunday". Twitter. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- ^ http://proplayerinsiders.com/nfl-player-team-news-features/armed-forces-chorus-will-sing-america-beautiful-super-bowl-50/
- ^ Paulson, Michael (January 27, 2017). "'Hamilton' Is Coming to the Super Bowl". The New York Times. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
- ^ NFL.com (January 15, 2018). "Leslie Odom Jr To Sing America The Beautiful At Super Bowl". Retrieved January 15, 2018.
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