In the United States, most team-based sports in high school, college, and professional have The playing of our national anthem precede the start of the match/game/whatever. With the recent influx of international athletes at the college and professional levels it makes even less sense: why not play the appropriate national anthems for all players? A difficult discussion best left for another day.
So imagine my surprise when listening to The Beatles and the Great Concert at Shea to hear King Curtis, as the first war-up act, playing the Star Spangled Banner to start the festivities before, ultimately, The Beatles played their typical 30-minute set. I have never heard any national anthem played before a concern, but even more puzzling is why when the headliner is undoubtably British?
