As I've written in the past, back during the 1973-74 season, the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL began a tradition where they played the renowned recording of Kate Smith performing her legendary version of "God Bless America" before their home hockey games. They went 36-3 with her recording leading the way (along with one tie).
When the team made the Stanley Cup finals that year, they pulled out all the stops -- and to the total surprise of the crowd, on May 19, 1974, brought Kate Smith herself out onto the ice to sing the song...live.
Here's that rousing rendition and perhaps even-more rousing response. And please note (especially those called on to ever sing this), Kate Smith -- who introduced the song in 1938, and therefore knows a thing or two about the number, performs it as an exuberant anthem, not a hymn --
When the team made the Stanley Cup finals that year, they pulled out all the stops -- and to the total surprise of the crowd, on May 19, 1974, brought Kate Smith herself out onto the ice to sing the song...live.
Here's that rousing rendition and perhaps even-more rousing response. And please note (especially those called on to ever sing this), Kate Smith -- who introduced the song in 1938, and therefore knows a thing or two about the number, performs it as an exuberant anthem, not a hymn --
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