Aretha Franklin will join New Orleans singer Aaron Neville in performing the national anthem at next month's Super Bowl. They will be accompanied by another veteran New Orleans musician, pianist Dr. John.
In addition, John Legend and Joss Stone will join Motown star Stevie Wonder in performing Wonder's hits as part of the Super Bowl pre-game show, which will be broadcast live on ABC.
The NFL's selection of the Rolling Stones for the halftime show prompted demands that the Detroit area's musical legacy be recognized. That led to the booking of Wonder and then Franklin, who was 2 when her family moved from Memphis, Tenn., to Detroit in 1944.
The NFL selected Neville, whose home was damaged by Hurricane Katrina, in part to honor the singer's hometown of New Orleans. Neville also performed the national anthem at the 1990 Super Bowl in New Orleans.
Past Super Bowl national anthem singers include Diana Ross, Barry Manilow, Whitney Houston, Garth Brooks, Jewel and Beyonce. (AP)
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Sunday, January 22nd 2006 at 7:12PM
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