U.S. Marine Band spokesperson Kristen DuBois told the London Times that what the world heard during the 2013 Presidential Inauguration ceremony was a recording of Beyonce and not Beyonce singing live. The spokesperson also said the band was not playing during “The Star-Stangled Banner” and that it was pre-recorded.
“We did pre-record it,” said DuBois in an interview with The Times. “It was Beyoncé’s decision at the last minute to go with the pre-recorded version.”
However, after kicking off this did she or didn’t she lip-synch debate, the Marine Corps backpedaled a bit on whether Beyonce was using the pre-recorded track.
The full second statement by the US Marine Corps Band:
“The Presidential Inaugural Committee requested that the Marine Band accompany Beyonce Knowles-Carter in the performance of the Star-Spangled Banner at the 2013 Inaugural Ceremony. However, 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.
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.”
And no one seems to be commenting on why, if she was lip-syncing, she removed her earpiece as the song hit its peak. Was that just for dramatic effect?
On a side note: Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor were both singing live.
