Whitney Houston

In 1991, as the United States was amid the Gulf War, 27-year old Houston performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XXV. The song was recorded in one take, in 4/4 time with accompaniment by the Florida Orchestra and production by Ricky Minor. The time signature of the song was met with objection by the NFL because of the slowed tempo. Houston sang with a fervor that to this day no other vocalist can replicate. Houston’s version turned the national anthem into a Top 20 pop hit.