Awesome find. I've stood at attention through that song more times than I could possibly recall and I never, ever heard it sung in a way that made me want to hear more before.

Magic Johnson has said that after Marvin finished, the players didn't want to play the All-Star Game any more. They just wanted to sit down and hear him sing.

Marvin was in a wild period right then, and legend has it that CBS was wondering whether he would show up. They had a backup ready to go right up until the last minute, when Marvin appeared with a cassette of the instrumental for his performance.

All kinds of things have been done to our national anthem, but for me this one is the only one. I've listened to it a thousand times, and every time I play it after not having done so in a while, I get goosebumps.

God rest you, Marvin.

Amen Jack!

Never saw that.
Goosebumps!
-d

I never have been fond of the "Star Spangled Banner". I always thought "America the Beautiful" should be our National Anthem.
That was absolutely brilliant.

Remember "Night Shift" by the Commodores?

"Marvin, he was a friend of mine
And he could sing a song
His heart in every line
Marvin sang of the joy and pain
He opened up our minds
And I still can hear him say
Aw talk to me so you can see
What's going on
Say you will sing your songs
Forevermore (evermore)

Gonna be some sweet sounds
Coming down on the nightshift
I bet you're singing proud
Oh I bet you'll pull a crowd
Gonna be a long night
It's gonna be all right
On the nightshift
Oh you found another home
I know you're not alone
On the nightshift"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTsw4g-cxgQ

Ten years after the Marvin Gaye tragedy
Ebony, June, 1994 by Laura B. Randolph
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n8_v49/ai_15405352/

Thank you, Jack. Evokes a mixture of awe, bittersweet, hope, pride, and despair...a sad searching for more of what has been lost...

Good link Mojo.