Marines retreat on Beyoncé lip-sync claim
The spokesperson for the U.S. Marines that told several media outlets Beyonce lip-synched national anthem during President Barack Obama's inauguration on Monday has backed away from the claim.
On Tuesday (January 22), Master Sgt. Kristin DuBois of the U.S. Marine Band said the star decided to use a pre-recorded track at the last minute and mouthed the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the band pretended to play along.
"We all know Beyoncé can sing," she said. "We all know the Marine Corps Band can play. We do not know why she decided to go with the pre-recorded music at the last minute."
The revelation ignited a controversy among fans and pundits alike, some of whom insisted that the national anthem should be sung live during such an important occasion.
As criticism spread, the Marines sought to clarify the spokesperson's earlier comments.
"There was no opportunity for Ms. Knowles-Carter to rehearse with the Marine Band before the inauguration so it was determined that a live performance by the band was ill-advised for such a high-profile event," Captain Gregory Wolf said in a statement to the Associated Press. "Each piece of music scheduled for performance in the inauguration is pre-recorded for use in case of freezing temperatures, equipment failure, or extenuating circumstances.
"Regarding Ms. Knowles-Carter's vocal performance, no one in the Marine Band is in a position to assess whether it was live or pre-recorded," he added.
Although some critics suggested that bitterly cold weather provides ideal conditions for singers, Aretha Franklin said she "cracked up" upon hearing that excuse.
"When I heard the news this evening that she was pre-recorded I really laughed," the Queen of Soul told ABC News. "I thought it was funny because the weather down there was about 46 or 44 degrees and for most singers that is just not good singing weather."
Franklin sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" at Obama's 2008 inauguration.
"When I heard that I just really cracked up. I thought it was really funny, but she did a beautiful job with the pre-record," she added. "Next time I'll probably do the same."
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Kevin Ritchie
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