I always thought she really belted it out ~ is there some video somewhere that proves she was really singing?
Google: "whitney houston lip synch national anthem" Here's one example: http://www.sptimes.com/News/012801/news_pf/SuperBowl2001/The_toughest_2_minute.shtml Ten years ago, Whitney Houston resorted to lip-synching when she performed the anthem, with the Florida Orchestra, before Super Bowl XXV in Tampa Stadium. "The orchestra track was recorded at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center earlier in January. Whitney's track was put on in California," says Kathryn Holm McManus, former executive director of the orchestra. "At the game, everyone was playing, and Whitney was singing, but there were no live microphones. Everyone was lip-synching or finger-synching." Houston's emotional performance struck a chord during the Persian Gulf War, and a recording of it went gold. Royalties from the record sales bailed the orchestra out of a financial jam. "It was six figures, probably $150,000 or $200,000 in all," McManus says. "It helped us balance the budget that year."
The sheer brilliance of a true musical genius was just noticed by millions of Americans during the Super Bowl XLI halftime. And just think how successful his career has already been without their noticing. The finale was so profound... purple lights everywhere... driving rain... the crowd singing along... it was a near religious experience, like him or not. One of the best of the "mega star" halftimes yet. Between McCartney, U2 and Prince for me... Although I'd like another U2 halftime... without the help from Green Day like the first MNF game in NOLA this past season, while that rocked... just make it U2 alone. In fact, just rotate the past 5 years' acts sans the XXXVIII show and we're good.
Never liked Prince's music.. But, I can't recall ever seeing him "shredding" on a guitar in the late 80's.. So, for those of you that are calling him an "amazing guitarist".. Could you clarify on what qualities your basis for this high praise lie? Is he "amazing" in the creative/technical/complete sense as group A) Jimi Hendrix, Brian May, Robbie Krieger, Frank Zappa Or, is he "amazing" in only the technical sense as group B) Joe Satriani, David Gilmoure, John Mayer, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page Just out of curiosity.
In my opinion, he's a fantastic artist. Always has been. Little known fact, junior: He wrote a TON of songs in the past three decades. Oh, and yeah, he also plays guitar and piano and several other instruments. As Kelly Clarkson states, just walk away...
Like I said before, Prince is the James Brown of my generation (those of us who graduated high school in the late 70s or early 80s). He is a phenominal talent, and he is one of a kind. Answering Hmms question, even though I don't like how he broke the guitarists out (Robbie Krieger is an amazing guitarist in the creative/technical/complete sense? What drugs are you on, boy???), I would put Prince (as a guitarist) in the later category. Technically, he is brilliant, but it's been done before. IMHO, as a guitarist, I have more respect for Stevie Ray Vaughan, who did what he did using the heaviest gauge strings you can purchase, than I do for Prince, who uses extremely light gauge guitar strings (kiddie strings). Ever tried to bend a .14 gauge high E string? Stevie Ray Vaughan had some strong freaking hands!!
Was U2 the one where they weren't even performing AT the Super Bowl? Weren't they live via satellite or something? Maybe I'm thinking of something else.
I see.. And, no, no drug influenced/impaired judgement on Krieger. That you'd even suggest.. He was technically proffecient in what he did(when he was finger picking, sold himself short using the guitarpick though), which unfortunately for most was "dull" and didn't include any wailing or "shredding" solos. And, he was creative. See his takes on "Spanish Caravan" and his palpable reconstruction of "Alabama Whiskey Song". Not to mention taking a perfect conventional/pop rhythm, then transposing, musically experimenting, indulging in a classical/jazz ostinato, adding a pure jazz instrumental lengthy solo to it , and making it a pop hit, "Light my Fire". IMO, he qualifies.
I'm going on the record right now and say The Police will sing halftime next year. You heard it here first, b****es.
Man, that was awesome. I've gained a newfound respect for Prince now. One of the most thrilling things for me is seeing someone who can totally rock out on a guitar like he did. I know Tom Petty, but who was that other guy with the beard and glasses?
I will always respect Prince after seeing him perform at Holfeinz about 7 years ago. The dude was laying on the stage propped up on one hand and both feet (in kind of a one handed push-up position) so he could hump the floor continuously while jamming out on the guitar (which was also laid on the floor of the stage) with his free hand. Just close your eyes and imagine that!
