You will be spared this, presumably, back at home, but the guy who just did the national anthem here at Staples Center decided to change the wording. That’s what anthems are for, right? Whatever wording you feel like going with.
Well, no, they’re not.
Except at Lakers games.
The guy who sang the anthem was identified as Tyrese Gibson, best known for appearing in the “Transformers” movies.
Anyway, he’s going along. Nothing special. Not awful. Not good. Which is about all you can hope for, usually, because some of these anthem singers approach it as if it’s a vocal exercise.
So, he gets to “and the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our LAKERS were still there.”
Uh, sure. “Lakers” sted “flag.” Hardly any difference right?
Anyway, the crowd applauded. I thought it was cheesy.
I have to think Lakers officials knew nothing about this and won’t be inviting this guy back, in the future. They shouldn’t.
Seems like tweaking the anthem for a basketball team is inviting some sort of disaster. The wrath of the gods. Maybe I will blame a Lakers defeat on this Tyrese Gibson character and his vamping.
9 responses so far ↓
1 Timeismoney // May 27, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Tyrese you Rock! Lakers!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.complex.com/blogs/2009/05/27/percy-careys-comic-book-corner-preview-4-pages-of-tyreses-mayhem/
2 Ted Johnson // May 27, 2009 at 10:07 PM
First off, Tyrese was there to support the lakers and show his support. I was there and your voice was amazing!!!!
Tyrese’s performance brought the Lakers victory. Only a guy who saves the world in Transformers can bring L.A. a victory.
Great work, Tyrese. Sing it again and the lakers will be in the championship.
You rock, Tyrese!!!!!
Can’t wait for Transformers 2.
3 lasexygirl // May 27, 2009 at 10:10 PM
I was at the lakers game and heard Tyrese sing the national anthem. I thought he was incredible. Changing one word is not that big of a deal.
4 sweetlucy // May 27, 2009 at 10:14 PM
This guy said Tyrese sang the national anthem and it was not awful but not good. I was there and it sang it amazingly. This guy doesnt know what he is talking about. He needs to stick to sports, not music.
5 lakersfan // May 27, 2009 at 10:30 PM
For this guy to say Tyrese Gibson did ” not awful, but not good” doesnt know anything about singing. Tyrses has a amazing voice.
6 David Lassen // May 27, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Bugged me, too. I thought it was nothing more than a cheap way to get a big cheer — not that a Hollywood type would ever feel the need to feed his ego or anything. I’m hardly in the super-patriot category (it would be fine with me if they did away with pregame anthems, to be honest), but if you’re going to do the anthem, do it like it means something.
7 Alan Smith // May 28, 2009 at 12:08 AM
Dear Oscar Madison,
You REALLY need to get a life. You’re over reacting. Tyrese Gibson is a well loved person, and didn’t mean any harm. The Lakers morale was low (and the crowd’s morale too) when Tyrese sparked the crowd and I think it’s the reason the lakers won. Yes I was there.
Get over it, Lakers Baby!!!!
8 Dennis Pope // May 28, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Looks like you touched a nerve. Good work.
9 Joseph D'Hippolito // May 28, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Stop the presses; I agree with Dennis Pope!
Tyrese Gibson’s act is the natural, long-term result of allowing pre-game singers to treat the national anthem as if they were auditioning for “American Idol” or had the talent of Ella Fitzgerald (note to pre-game singers: you aren’t and you don’t — not by a long shot). It also shows monumental disrespect for the nation, let alone the song itself. The fact that this took place two days after Memorial Day — when we, as a nation, supposedly remember those who fought and died for us — speaks volumes about how narcissistic we’ve become.
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