Whitney Houston: Super Bowl XXV Star-Spangled Banner

by Brian Galliford on Feb 12, 2012 10:32 AM EST in Buffalo Bills News

Last night, word broke that music sensation Whitney Houston had passed away at the age of 48. We're a blog dedicated to the Buffalo Bills, and solely the Buffalo Bills, so it'd take something quite special to be mentioning her here at all, even despite the magnitude of the news.

That special something was her rendition of our national anthem prior to the Bills' Super Bowl XXV matchup against the New York Giants. That was an unforgettable night for any Bills fan that bore witness to it - though the conclusion of the game may cause some to want to forget - but the evening also got off to a memorable start thanks to a performance that most consider the best pre-game national anthem production ever put forth.

We've embedded the video of that performance below. This is not only how I remember one of the most talented voices ever, but also a big part of how I'll remember the Bills kicking off their run of four straight Super Bowl appearances.

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Rec'd.......very sad that such a talented woman

wasted a some of the best years of her life struggling with substance abuse issues and then dies so young. RIP Whitney.

"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." - John Wooden

"Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances." - Sun Tzu

by Joe P. on Feb 12, 2012 10:40 AM EST reply actions

That was the most memorable Super Bowl for a lot of reasons

1. Our Bills were in the Super Bowl!!

2. The Air War had started, and we knew that the ground offensive was only a matter of time. Most folks thought there would be thousands and thousands of casualties during a long ground campaign. Patriotism in our country was at its highest in years.

3. Whitney’s performance was beyond amazing! A life now taken far too soon. RIP.

4. The game was stellar between two great organizations.

Only the ending didn’t turn out as we hoped. That still does not take away from the fact that this was one of the best Super Bowls ever for the reasons I previously stated.

"My new cat just farted on my lap. Smells like Bills football." BG.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Feb 12, 2012 10:45 AM EST reply actions

Rec’d for going slightly off topic Brian.

"My new cat just farted on my lap. Smells like Bills football." BG.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Feb 12, 2012 10:46 AM EST up reply actions

Exactly

That game was the best Super Bowl ever, with the best anthem ever.

- It was the Bills first Super Bowl

- It was a one point game with drama to the end

- What you stated, with the air campaign started, and the ground campaign coming, the atmosphere was super-charged. Folks didn’t know then what kind of force that VII Corps was, and how quickly the war would end. I remember news analysts absolutely hung on the fact that Iraq had a huge army, and that all our equipment was unproven. All right, and causing nervousness, but in the end, irrelevant.

- Houston sung the anthem very simply for having such a dynamic voice. She hit the notes just right, and didn’t fool around with trying to go up-and-down on each end note. The lower middle verse made the “rockets…” part where she went up that much more dynamic, and the low end note was right. All the new pop singers need to listen to how Houston just sang the song without trying to add a hip-hop, rap, pop, country… flare. Just sing the song.

Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.

by Der Jaeger on Feb 12, 2012 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

Meh

2 weeks of tabloid TV on the horizon.

"A Patriots loss is a Bills win" - TheAfghanTwighlight

by The Buffalo Kid on Feb 12, 2012 10:59 AM EST reply actions

I see in the next 2 weeks

An Anna Nicole Smith/Michael Jackson tabloid media circus overtaking the news with this one.

"A Patriots loss is a Bills win" - TheAfghanTwighlight

by The Buffalo Kid on Feb 12, 2012 11:09 AM EST up reply actions

Sick of it already

by ONEREALMAN on Feb 12, 2012 10:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I played varsity bowling in high school, and for all the big tournaments they would play this rendition over the PA system. Certainly a strange but cool sight to see.

by tpsabres on Feb 12, 2012 12:28 PM EST reply actions

RIP Whitney the way she sang that day the day my bills were ready to play there first superbowl gave me goosebumps may the good lord take care of her

by beezwright on Feb 12, 2012 12:52 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I was in the US Navy, somewhere near Sigonella, Sicily, where my ship was fulfilling NATO requirements. Eventually we made our way to Iskenderun, Turkey. First SB I missed since 1982.

Aside from a thrilling game, the buzz was that Houston sang a tremendous version of our Anthem. After so many other celebrities had recently botched it (Roseanne Barr), it was refreshing and inspiring.

Having endured the post-Vietnam backlash against the military, it was great that the American people recognized that “Joe military man” was worthy of respect again. I believe Houston’s performance helped in that regard.

When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.

by Buffalo for Eternity on Feb 12, 2012 12:56 PM EST reply actions

It should be mentioned that it was lip synced.

Check out buddynixon.com for more of my work.

by cjf4 on Feb 12, 2012 4:02 PM EST reply actions

Man she knocked that outta the park.

Still gives me goosebumps to this day.

RIP

The score dictated they pass

by norcaliangelsfan on Feb 12, 2012 6:25 PM EST via mobile reply actions

One of the top 5 greatest voices of all time

and one of the greatest Superbowls of all time. A great combo. She might be physically gone from this world, but her soul lives on in the afterlife, as well as her memory among all of Bills fans across the country. A toast to Whitney!

Are we drafting Dino's now?
"6'6" monster receiver with a Terradactyl wingspan "....... Keysh67

by Billsfanstuckinthesouth on Feb 12, 2012 7:08 PM EST reply actions

The best rendition ever.

its been 22 years and it still sends shivers down my spine when ever I hear her sing it. RIP Whitney.

by Shawn Matter on Feb 12, 2012 10:34 PM EST reply actions

Ditto - I still watch this a few times ever year

Shivers plus my eyes water up as well. The tremendous orchestra back-up with everyone in the stands waving Old Glory plus the full color guard with all the branches of the military represented. This version will NEVER be topped. The ending is just pitch perfect and as others have said, our singers today need to take notes.

by AlwaysaBillinPhilly on Feb 13, 2012 11:09 AM EST up reply actions