Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site floyd.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhuxt!mhuxi!mhuxa!houxm!hogpc!houti!ariel!vax135!floyd!trb From: trb@floyd.UUCP Newsgroups: net.misc Subject: Re: Our National Anthem Message-ID: <1749@floyd.UUCP> Date: Wed, 6-Jul-83 10:31:22 EDT Article-I.D.: floyd.1749 Posted: Wed Jul 6 10:31:22 1983 Date-Received: Thu, 7-Jul-83 15:15:23 EDT References: <484@umcp-cs.UUCP> Organization: Bell Labs, Whippany, NJ Lines: 24 If you guys haven't noticed, there's been some stir in the media because popular musicians have been singing "enhanced" renditions of our national anthem. I think the American Legion is pretty pissed off and there has been quite a bit of national news coverage. ABC Nightline spent at least 15 minutes on it on July 4, with a dual interview of Garrison Keillor (I forget how he spells it) and the Grand Dragonnette (or something) of the Daughters of the American revolution. Actually, they were both pretty liberal on the issue, saying that love and respect for our great nation is the important thing and that people should sing it as they please. Nightline showed swatches of Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock rendition, and also Marvin Gaye's version from the latest NBA All Star Game. Hendrix's is a classic, with amazing interpretations of the "rocket's red glare" and such, and Marvin Gaye's is as funkily moving a version as I've heard. I think the Legionnaires are upset that Gaye is going to record his arrangement; they are actually trying to legislate (!) that artists can't alter our national anthem. Sometimes I wish that all narrow minded people would just go away and die (to put it in a narrow minded way). Hoping your news is better than that, Andy Tannenbaum Bell Labs Whippany, NJ (201) 386-6491