Blackhawks anthem singer joins The Smashing Pumpkins on stage
Jim Cornelison is well versed in signing the national anthem, but his recent rendition was all the rage in the Windy City.
The long-time Chicago Blackhawks' anthem singer joined alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins on stage at a concert on Chicago's Northerly Island on Aug. 7.
"Billy Corgan, it turns it out, is a big Blackhawks fan and of course the Pumpkins are from Chicago," the 51-year-old Cornelison said. "They said, 'Hey, we normally do the national anthem in the middle of our song 'United States' and Billy plays it as a solo. We would love it if you sang the anthem during that section instead of him playing it on a guitar.'"
Cornelison accepted the invitation and surprised the crowd when he belted out the familiar lyrics.
"People were really responsive and the surprise (looks) on their faces was really precious," said Cornelison, who began signing the national anthem for the Blackhawks in 1996.
(h/t Chicago Blackhawks)
