# Martha Reeves Didn’t Want Those Backup Singers On Her Viral “Star-Spangled Banner”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/martha-reeves-didnt-want-those-backup-singers-on-her-viral-star-spangled-banner/
- Published: 2026-08-04T18:39:56+00:00
- Updated: 2026-08-04T19:18:55+00:00
- Original publisher: Stereogum
- Original article: https://stereogum.com/2507313/martha-reeves-didnt-want-those-backup-singers-on-her-viral-star-spangled-banner/news/
- Topics: Art, Celebrity, Culture, Entertainment, Music, Trending, Weird & Viral

## Key points

- Martha Reeves' anthem performance went viral for its unconventional style
- Rehearsal footage showed she didn't want backup singers on stage
- She blamed poor conditions and lack of stage monitors for the outcome

## Summary

Motown legend Martha Reeves went viral after an unconventional rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the inaugural Women's Professional Baseball League game, with footage later emerging showing she had not wanted the backup singers who accompanied her on stage. A rehearsal video obtained by TMZ captured Reeves stopping the backup singers to correct one for being out of tune, before telling the stadium via microphone, "I don't think I need them. I don't need them."

The performance took place on Saturday 1 August at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. Reeves, who recently turned 85, said in a statement that wet, windy field conditions and a lack of stage monitors meant she could not hear herself properly, adding that while it wasn't the performance she had hoped for, she was honoured to take part in a historic moment for women's sport.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.