I was at that game when Kate Smith sang God Bless America and the fans went crazy. If Ed Snider was alive her statue would still be there. Ed was a pallbearer at her funeral and a Flyers Jersey was in her casket. To the Organization, please bring back her statue and admit it was a mistake to take her down and show all us fans that even the Big Shots can be wrong but will make it RIGHT. That would be soooo Awesome. ❤️🥅🏒🇺🇸
She lifted the entire country during this time , I'm sure no one was more surprised than her . I was a big hockey fan during the 70's and this was very inspiring even for me though I was a Bruins fan
This is the song that should be our American national anthem! When I was a young boy, living in Oakland, California, in the late 1930s, I had the privilege of attending Kate Smith's singing performance. It is still in my memory as to how great of a singer she was. God bless America, and God bless Kate Smith.
Dont ya just love how Kate clasped her hands together above her head in a "Go flyers!" motion and shook em with passion for the fans. Quite an icon and quite a singer
On January 1, 1976, Kate Smith was the Grand Marshal of the Pasadena Rose Parade. That afternoon, she sang this song at the Rose Bowl game. There were very few dry eyes in the Rose Bowl. I was there.
Chills........listening to Kate. What a presence to have in Phila. Phila Loved her and she loved Philadelphia......RIP Kate.......Inspiration at it's best :)
32 years ago, as a teenager, I sat on the living room floor and was mesmerized by Kate Smith singing God Bless America from the Spectrum in Philadelphia... Seeing this again for the first time since 1976, brings back so vividly, the memories of that evening! Thanks so much for posting it after all these years!
I remember going to the games all the time in the 70's & 80's. We always had a great time at the spectrum & Flyers games. Kate Smith is an American treasure. Her singing this song still gives me chills today. Philadelphia will NEVER forget Ms. Kate Smith! This kids today don't know what they are missing growing up now instead of back then.
This song was written just for her back in 39 I believe. Irvin Berlin knew she was the only one who could do this song justice. Kate had the very best voice of all time. This was her last time for a public appearance that I know before she passed away.
They didn't come to watch hockey, they came to watch Kate Smith! Thanks for this, what a treat! I'm in the Philly Metro area and she is legendary. I was born in '76 so missed this era completely.
That's not true...we Flyers Fans came to see the Flyers WIN the Hockey game and Kate Smith singing "God Bless America" was the Ultimate Motivator for Flyers and Fans back then...
From Canada wishing my American Family, Relatives and Friends a Healthy, Safe and Blessed Memorial Day Weekend. Kate Smith - God Bless America (Live 1976) 1976 NHL Stanley Cup Championship Final at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States in May 1976. Montreal Canadiens vs Philadelphia Flyers. Brings back memories watching it live on TV in the Spring 1976
Kate was a fine singer. See, when you are old enough to remember when she was living and singing you have a special place in your heart for her. The first time I heard her sing I was all of 6 years old and that was way back in the very early 50's. So, yes I'm old. I'll share a short story: My grandmother played the piano and I was also learning. We would do a duet on the piano of "God Bless America". See in the day we would gather around the piano and sing. This was one of my granddads favorite songs. Every year around the 4th of July and December 7, I do Kate Smith singing "God Bless America". I'm not sure when this will end but it gives me pause and more so when I see the destruction our country is in today. Please dear God bless us once again!
I remember watching a Flyers-Oilers NHL Stanley Cup Playoff match (a little research shows that it probably was the 65th Game of the 1987 Cup playoff series) about 18 years ago on TV when Edmonton had Gretzky, Fuhr, Messier, Anderson, and others. Kate had died the year before but that did not deter the Flyers and the Spectrum which used a video of her singing God Bless America before the start of the match. The place went nuts when she started singing and at the end of the song (I don't remember which network televised it) the network announcers did not say a thing for about five seconds or so, before the lead announcer just said "WOW" in an astonished and emphatic voice. One of the single, most memorable moments I have ever witnessed at any sporting event, as riveting or more then Whitney Houston's performance of the National Anthem on the eve of Desert Storm, and just a shade under the extraordinary performance of Secretariat winning the Belmont Stakes by 32 lengths, with a lead down the stretch that was so large the cameraman actually had to manually refocus the lens so that he could show both Secretariat and Swap in the same frame, another moment that is etched in my mind forever. Great Job, Kate !
Kate Smith singing God Bless America just sends chills through my body. What a great lady. My parents told me so often how much this lady inspired Americans in the dark days of WW2. RIP Ms Smith!
@OldWoman1958 I'm sitting here on April 7, 2011 @ 1:30AM and it brought back memories as well as tears to my eyes. Yes, Kate Smith was wonderful and a tradition that is part of Philadelphia even today. Thank you for taking the time to post this. I will definitely add it to my favorites AND come back to view it many, many times!
I love Kate Smith.And I have to say God Bless America sung by her, still gives me goose bumps every time I hear it. And I'm Canadian. The New Zealand National Anthem does it to me as well. Beautiful soul touching words. Love America.
Bobby Clarke was a GOD...and whoever said that Philadelphia fans have no hearts. Throwing snow at Santa notwithstanding...the ovation that they gave Kate! You could see it on her face! Astounded, amazed, thrilled and so proud to just bust a lung belting that wonderful song for all those fans at the Spectrum. One of the forgotten moments in sports that needs to be remembered.
I was a Islander fan and hated the Flyers but Kate Smith singing live at the Spectrum was always a moving and inspirational moment. 3 Cheers to Kate Smith
Right back at you! I loved the Islanders vs Flyers competition, back in the day...Loved Hextall's goal...I am embarrassed.to still root for Flyers...I am in Saint Louis now, so I love the Blues...
The guy in the Flyers' management who thought of using Ms. Smith's song, and then getting her in person was a genius. The crowd loved it, she loved it, and it is a memory hockey fans will never forget. In today's America we don't have originals like Kate Smith, and professional sports are not as much fun.
My Dad's Mother (My Grandmother) who would be over a 100 years old now, LOVED....Kate Smith. I grew up to really appreciate decent and traditional music and salutes to our country.
Gives me chills to watch this. THIS is what our country used to be and will never be again if people don't wake up. Wonderful memory. God bless Kate Smith
I remember watching on CBC Windsor when the Flyers would bring Kate Smith out to sing 'God Bless America' it was special! My parents from the depression era loved it.
Absolutely awe inspiring. Kate Smith owns this song. Everyone who sings it is just a stand-in for her. They should only replay Kate's version at various events...it is THAT good.
Kate Smith was an extraordinary patriot. This moment is special because of the bi-centennial. I am a New York Rangers fan and can certainly show respect. This special moment only out done by Wayne Mesmer at the Old Chicago Stadium before A Blackhawks playoff game. The whole building literally shook. The Spectrum was a great, old building as well whose decibel levels were deafening.
Dreadandcircuses lol so a person who has racial hate for another’s is a wonderful person? 😂 please educate me when actually facts not trying to cause a fight I just want know why you say that
Nathan Antwi no still racist what’s wrong is wrong which both sides are the lady has Been dead for 34 years I’m not going off of the color of any ones skin color I’m going of off what’s right and wrong I don’t have any problem with any races
I love Canada. I am American born but I love this country. I had the honor of living there for a bit and my daughter was born there. I will always treasure my time there
Thanks for sharing! Irving Berlin wrote " God Bless America " in 1918 for his soldier show Yip Yip , Yiphank . However , it was withdrawn and lay unused until Kate Smith asked Berlin for a new patriotic song to sing on the radio for Armistice Day , 1938. It became an instant hit . The poem " America the Beautiful " by Katherine Lee Bates , a professor of English at Wellesley College , was inspired by a 1893 visit to Pike's Peak . It is unknown who joined it with Samuel Augustus Ward's hymn Materna , composed in 1882. Both songs have been suggested as alternatives to " The Star Spangled Banner " as our national anthem , for they celebrate America's great assets -- its natural beauty and its people . Thought you might enjoy some musical history ;)
I remember when Kate Smith would appear on television and this was her theme song. Surely she's looking down from Heaven and interceding now in prayer for the U.S.A. It's great to hear people singing this song again!
CAPITALS ARE THEY ONLY WAY I CAN EXPRESS MY EOMTIONS - Kate Smith is an amazing young lady who makes me proud to not only be an American but also a Veteran - she is so precise when she sings this beautiful song that represents our country, i think she has passed away although i'm not sure, however i can say this , Ms Smith was for sure a class act. God bless her soul.She was a special human being. :)
Her song to this day gives me goosebumps and makes me cry too. I just think it was a crime to let Kate Smith die penniless and forgotten. The Flyers organization could have charged us all an extra $1.00 to send to her for the rest of her life. No one sings this song as great as Kate Smith. I hope she is never forgotten. All the people who were around back then still love you Kate!
I'm a Flyers fan too young to witness this at the time but I think she should be with the Flyers always. Her performance still gives me chills. Well done, Kate.
When my Habs played against those great Flyers in 76, Both Roger Doucet in Montreal and Kate Smith in Philly were part of the games. Ghosts in the Forum waked up when Doucet began to sing and there's not a single fan in the Spectrum who wasnt in the game after signing God bless America with Smith. Good memories.
What is amazing is that until a very late age her vocal powers continued and performing vitality remained undiminished. She was touring and doing concerts way way late in her life to sold-out houses in the most prestigious venues.
