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"The Star-Spangled Banner" Re-release Details
submitted by: Sean, Dan L., Michael, Lisa D.
source: Arista, Billboard, Associated Press
Date: September 18, 2001
Whitney Houston's Recording of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' Will Be Re-Released By Arista Records to Benefit the New York Police and Fire Departments' Disaster Relief Funds
NEW YORK, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Antonio "LA" Reid, President and CEO of Arista Records and Whitney Houston, announced today the imminent re-release of Whitney Houston's soaring rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" as a commercial CD single (which will also include her version of "America the Beautiful"). Whitney Houston, The Whitney Houston Foundation for Children, Inc. and Arista Records are donating their royalties and net proceeds from the sale of the single to the New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund and the New York Fraternal Order of Police, both benefiting the departments and their families affected by the tragedy at the World Trade Center.
"In a time of tragedy, Whitney Houston's recording of our National Anthem has comforted and inspired our nation," said Reid. "Whitney and the entire Arista family are proud to make this contribution to the ongoing relief effort."
Whitney Houston's performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" originates from the ABC Network telecast of Super Bowl XXV on January 27, 1991. In the days following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Arista Records and Whitney Houston responded to the President's call for all Americans to proudly fly the American flag by immediately re-releasing the patriotic anthem to radio stations across the country.
Arista Records
Acquired by Bertelsmann in 1979, and now at the core of BMG Entertainment, Arista is among the world's most consistently successful, all-time hitmaking record companies. The careers of countless new artists have been launched and nurtured at Arista and LaFace Records, while many established artists have also flourished and reached new audiences at the label. In addition to demonstrating its ability to break international artists in the U.S., Arista maintains high-profile joint ventures with a number of successful producers and songwriters. Arista released its first records in late-1974, earned its first RIAA gold record in January 1975, and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2000.
Additional information can be found at the official Arista Records website www.arista.com.
Houston's 'Banner' To Benefit Relief Funds
Whitney Houston will re-release her performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" as a commercial single, and donate all royalties and net proceeds from the sale to the New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund and the New York Fraternal Order of Police. An Arista Records spokesperson said the label is shooting for a Sept. 25 release date for the single.
Houston performed the National Anthem prior to Super Bowl XXV in 1991. The performance was subsequently released as a commercial single, and reached No. 20 on The Billboard Hot 100. The re-release will be backed with the singer's rendition of "America the Beautiful."
"In a time of tragedy, Whitney Houston's recording of our National Anthem has comforted and inspired our nation," Arista president/CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid said in a statement. "Whitney and the entire Arista family are proud to make this contribution to the ongoing relief effort."
Houston, who last week quelled rumors of her demise, recently signed a $100 million, multi-album deal with Arista. The deal is reportedly the biggest in the label's history.
-- Troy Carpenter, N.Y.
Houston's Anthem Version Re-Released
NEW YORK (AP) - Arista Records is rereleasing Whitney Houston's soaring version of "The Star-Spangled Banner," which became a unifying song for Americans during the Gulf War, in response to last week's terrorists attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
Houston performed the song at Super Bowl XXV on Jan. 27, 1991, when the United States was at war with Iraq. Her rendition brought many to tears.
The single already is on the radio, and Arista hopes to have it in record stores by next week, spokeswoman Laura Swanson said.
"I think that it's something that helps pull us together and brings us together as a nation," Arista president Antonio "L.A." Reid told The Associated Press on Monday. "It was one way for us for us at Arista to say, 'Hey, we're here to help."'
Proceeds from the sale of the commercial single CD will benefit the New York Firefighters Disaster Relief Fund and the New York Fraternal Order of Police.
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