During “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Friday night’s World Series opener between Houston and Philadelphia, Grammy-nominated vocalist Eric Burton became disoriented and forgot the words.
The Black Pumas band leader veered off course on the second line as players and staff were lined up on the field for the customary pre-game ceremonial and a huge American flag was spread across the outfield. Instead of “gleaming,”
He sang: “What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last streaming” instead of “gleaming.”
He continued correctly with: “Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight.” But then, instead of “O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?” he backtracked to “What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last” before again singing “streaming” instead of “gleaming.”
Burton then picked up correctly with “And the rocket’s red glare, the bomb bursting in air” and finished uneventfully.
At the broadcast concert for President Joe Biden’s inauguration last year, Burton played. At the broadcast concert for President Joe Biden’s inauguration last year, Burton played.