Just saw on the news...Nona Gaye will be singing along with her dad Marvin for the National Anthem at the game. Just like Natalie Cole did with Nat. I've never seen or heard Marvin's version, but it was done a year before he was killed, was over 3 minutes long and the snippets the news played were fantastic. Apparently Marvin's performance will be played on big screen as she sings.

i don't really like it when dead and alive mix like this.

beautifulone7 said:

Marvin's version of "The Star Spangled Banner" is the greatest EVER. Makes me proud to be American - and I'm not, I'm English.

Good on Nona.

I am VERY skeptical about this idea.


I had the honor of watching Marvin do the National Anthem live-
those 20 years ago, & like several others,
it's the most soulful National Anthem I've ever heard.

however, when I 1st heard it that time, I wasn't that impressed. I was even "shocked"! I thought, WHY is he doing this song over a drum track that sounded A LOT like Sexual Healing, his big hit at the time. I even distinctly remember some NBA players-
Dr. J, I vaguely recall-
who were looking down at the floor, apparently embarassed..

by the end of the song, people were hootin' & hollerin'
(especially the women; surprise, surprise)
& clappin' to the rhythm of the beat..

I couldn't believe it.

I just thought that Marvin was trying to capitalize on or extend the buzz from Sexual Healing.

years passed before I saw that video again. ironically, the whole clip was shown at the very end of the last game televised by CBS Sports, when they lost their NBA contract to ABC. the Pistons had just won their 2nd NBA title
(baaad boys.. baaad boys)
& Dick Stockton (the main NBA commentator for CBS) was thanking everyone, & then they played the video.

there Marvin was, INDOORS at "The Great Western Forum" (as it was called then)..
yeah- indoors & wearing a dark dark suit & sunglasses.

seeing it again some 6 years later, I again thought, "okay, here's Marvin again, singing the "Sexual Anthem" of the US..
but.. as I listened to the song, as I watched more closely how Marvin sang & how he interpreted the song..
the song & the performance took on a spiritual aura. what I thought was Marvin bein' "sleazy" was really him pouring his heart out in that song. it really seems that he simply wanted to put his own mark on that song & not just do a "traditional rendition".

ever since I saw the performance again in 1990, I've thought that it's the best version I've ever heard, & I've heard some very good renditions.


all this to say :
I like Nona Gaye as a singer-
& she sure is as FINE as ANY woman would want to be..
but I don't know if she can "pull this off" with her father.
yeah, the Unforgetable video & song worked for Nat King & Natalie Cole, but I happen to think that Natalie is just as good a singer as her father, if not BETTER. Nona isn't on the same level singing as her father, & while she is attractive & sexy, she doesn't OOZE it like her father did..

now that I know she's going to be singing the Anthem, I will certainly check her out & see how she does..
she really ought to just sing her own version of the Anthem, rather than try to "keep up" with her father's brilliant version..

ah well, we'll see..

Bad idea.

Since it´s a sports event:






Is she going to expose her right breast?

Marvin's version is available in the 3 disc box-set entitled 'The Master'. I've never been a patriotic person, but this version will give anyone chills. It's absolutely beautiful. Marvin was an artist in the purest form.

dawntreader said:

co-sign...i've always thought this kinda stuff is sorta creepy anyway.

OH BOYYY, it's that old Natalie Cole/Nat King Cole UNFORGETTABLE type of deal again...

I don't get a good vibe about this...


Oh...Marvin broke that anthem on down..It was so unorthodox, yet tight...Purely original!!!

Marvin's track should be left untouched...I like Nona but love her father.