On October 7, 1968, at the height of protests against the Vietnam War, Feliciano was invited by Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Tiger Stadium in Detroit during Game 5 pre-game ceremonies of the 1968 World Series between the Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals….as his personalized, slow, Latin jazz performance proved highly controversial and damaging to Jose’s career in the months, even years, that followed. In an October 2006 NPR broadcast, however, he expressed pride at being the one to open the door for artists who could later interpret the nation’s anthem. His World Series rendition, which features Feliciano accompanying himself on an acoustic guitar, was released as a single that charted for 5 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100….while peaking at # 50 ….which was the first time the United States’ anthem appeared on the American music charts. That recording of the national anthem is now on permanent exhibit in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York….and as seen in this video herewith…..Feliciano sings the same version at the 1983 WBC World Heavyweight Championship Title Fight between Champ Larry Holmes verse Carl Williams.
