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Anita Baker's National Anthem flops at Game 4 of Lakers/Celtics final
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Anita Baker may be a legendary singer with eight Grammy Awards under her belt, but her performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Game 4 of the Lakers/Celtics Final on June 8 won't win her any awards. Baker's songs "Sweet Love" and "Giving You the Best That I Got" amazed fans and critics alike in the '80s, but she's enjoyed success more recently as well, having been nominated for a Traditional R&B Performance Grammy in 2007.
At 52-years-old, it's no wonder Baker's voice doesn't have the same tone it once did, but her performance was one thing that Celtics and Lakers fans could agree on Thursday night. Viewers voiced their grievances on Twitter and Facebook, wondering whether it might have been nerves or health problems that led to her spiral.
What did you think of the performance?
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Photo credit: Getty
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Advanced years alone will have no bearing whatsoever to the singer's voice. As with any other instrument, if one practices, "tunes" their instrument, follows good technique and is otherwise healthy they will be fit to perform at any age. The Star-Spangled Banner is a challenge for any singer especially when sung a cappella as was the case with Miss Baker. For whatever reason this talented vocalist might have been caught off guard, her age, however had nothing to do with it.
I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW BORED YOU PEOPLE ARE WITH BASKETBALL, NO WONDER THEY'VE BROUGHT MICHAEL JORDAN BACK OUT IN NEW COMMERCIALS, I GUESS KEVIN GARNETT DON'T CUT IT.