It is said that Garth Brooks came close to not performing the national anthem at the Super Bowl in 1993. His decision to almost walk out on the performance ended up changing the rules for future Super Bowl performers.
Other country stars like Charley Pride, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood have also been chosen to sing the anthem in the past. However, when Brooks decided to boycott the show at the last minute, it led to a policy change that has now become a permanent part of the tradition.
Based on the book "The Making of the Super Bowl: The Inside Story of the World's Greatest Sporting Event" by Don Weiss, it is mentioned that Brooks had plans to premiere his music video for "We Shall Be Free" during the broadcast on January 31, 1993. The song was written as a response to the L.A. riots that occurred after the Rodney King verdict in 1992. The music video included visuals of the KKK, riots, wars, and symbols being burned. However, the network considered the content of the video too controversial and Brooks allegedly left the stadium just 45 minutes before the kickoff.
There
Brooks refused the network's plea to record his performance beforehand, which caused the producers to panic as they searched for a last-minute replacement. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was kept on standby while the producers debated with Brooks. Eventually, Brooks prevailed, causing the biggest sports event in America to be delayed for the first time ever in order to showcase his video. With a mullet and facial hair reminiscent of Cyrus, Brooks then went onto the field to perform, with Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin providing a sign language interpretation due to her hearing impairment.
Since Garth Brooks' decision to perform live during the Super Bowl, the NFL has now implemented a rule that all renditions of the national anthem at the Super Bowl must be pre-recorded. This information was revealed by Ricky Minor, a former Super Bowl Music Director.
"He believes that is the correct approach," he states. "There are numerous factors to consider before going live. He strongly advises against artists choosing to go live, as even the smallest technical issue could greatly impact the performance."
Here are 15 country artists who are ready to take the stage as the headliners for a Super Bowl halftime show. This gallery is
Additional Content from Taste of Country
Details
Connect with Us