Philadelphia Flyers Boot Kate Smith

[+ WilliamM]

Kate had long been associated with the hockey team. She sang

"God Bless America," the song most associated with her, at important Flyer games in the 1970s. She died in 1986. Thousands of Philadelphian signed a get well card to Smith when it was known she was seriously ill. Smith was surprised because she believed her performances we're not enough to deserve such a significant response.

 

She had recorded songs like "That's Why Darkies we're Born" and "Pickaninny Heaven" in the 1930. The "Darkies" song was a satire from a Broadway show also recorded by black singer Paul Robson.

Edited April 20, 2019 by WilliamM

[+ WilliamM]

Philadelphia Inquirer

Flyers cover Kate Smith statue, dump ‘God Bless America’ over past racist songs

by Rob Tornoe, Updated: April 19, 2019- 6:54 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Flyers are scrubbing their connections with Kate Smith, the late singer whose music is linked to the NHL team’s success for many fans, as the club looks into racist lyrics she sang.

 

That includes covering a bronze statue of Smith that stands outside Xfinity Live! and removing her iconic recording of “God Bless America” from their Wells Fargo Center playlist.

 

• C’mon, Sixers, what’s the harm in playing ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ during halftime? | Jenice Armstrong
  

“We have recently become aware that several songs performed by Kate Smith contain offensive lyrics that do not reflect our values as an organization,” the Flyers said in a statement. "As we continue to look into this serious matter, we are removing Kate Smith’s recording of 'God Bless America’ from our library and covering up the statue that stands outside of our arena.”

 

Since 1969, the team had played Smith’s version of Irving Berlin’s "God Bless America” before must-win games, where it proved to be a good-luck charm. According to the Flyers, the team went 101-31-5 in games where Smith’s version of the song aired, including 3-1-0 when Smith sang the song live at the Spectrum beginning with the Flyers’ 1973 home opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

 

 

The Flyers erected the statue of Smith, who died in 1986 at age 79, outside the Spectrum in 1987. After the Spectrum was demolished in 2011, Smith’s statue was moved to the parking lot of Xfinity Live!

[+ WilliamM]

 

Kate Smith on the ice singing "God Bless American" at a Philadelphia Flyer game.

[Rockey]

A very large percentage of Philly suburban residents are raging racist. I'll bet they're all in a tizzy right about now.

[Chuckball]

It's time to get superstition out of sport. Some idiots in Toronto want to ban Drake from attending NBA playoff games when he wears a Raptors sweater. This idolization of Kate Smith is an acknowledgement of superstitious non-logic. Didn't Kate Smith have an afternoon TV show back in the 50s? She's the Ellen DeGeneres of her generation. Never participated in sports.

[+ bigjoey]

It's time to get superstition out of sport. Some idiots in Toronto want to ban Drake from attending NBA playoff games when he wears a Raptors sweater. This idolization of Kate Smith is an acknowledgement of superstitious non-logic. Didn't Kate Smith have an afternoon TV show back in the 50s? She's the Ellen DeGeneres of her generation. Never participated in sports.

 

Yes, she had an afternoon show and for one season, an evening show. Her theme song was “When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain”:

[+ WilliamM]

Kate was very I'll during her last yeards and lost much weight. She did appear during an Emmy Awards Show. She was in a wheelchair; Bob Hope helped her get on stage, and stayed with while she was honoured. Kate seemed to understand, but she never spoke. Sad.

[+ friendofsheila]

This whole thing is bending way out of shape.

[+ Pensant]

A very large percentage of Philly suburban residents are raging racist. I'll bet they're all in a tizzy right about now.

A bit of a generalization, perhaps?

[Rockey]

A bit of a generalization, perhaps?

Yes, but based on the sample of suburban whites I've known, it's a valid one.

[rocky]

Why doesn't someone have balls to say, the song she sang had nothing to do with this forced upon us racism or other "wetoo" matters. I'm the most liberal person you will ever meet but come on, she sang a beautiful song. And yes I played sports with the "warriors" oh my do I need to change that from 40 years ago. what have we become where we don't recognize that there is a history that should remain. this is terrible