Choked Up

the Home of the Brave



This version comes from the 1983 NBA All Star Game. I remember watching it live on TV at the time and I remember thinking to myself that there would never ever be a finer version of this song done.

There's several interesting videos out there that relate to this event. In 2004, The anthem was sung by Marvin Gaye's daughter Nona with a large video screen of Marvin behind her. It was a memorable duet. There are also several other videos featuring Marvin singing tamer versions at NFL games and MLB games. He sang at the request of Tiger broadcasting great Ernie Harwell for game 4 of the 1968 World Series and did a more traditional version only to be followed on the following night by a non-traditional version sung by Jose Feliciano. It caused quite a stir. It is available here:

Jose Feliciano at the World Series

Feliciano was asked to repeat his performance this past May. The story and the video is worth the 2 minute watch.

As most of us know, Marvin Gaye was tragically shot to death by his father on April 1, 1983, less than two months after performing the anthem. Some facts you may not know. He died the day before his birthday. He was shot with the gun he gave his father for protection. The previous year he had staged a major comeback and won the first two Grammys of his career for Sexual Healing. Marvin's father received only 5 years probation for the shooting after it was determined he was beaten by his son before the shooting.

You can read much more about Marvin on his Wiki page:

Marvin_Gaye