While watching the Hawks Stanley Cup run and listening to the National Anthem, it reminded me of when Jim Cornelison was here to sing. I'd like to see Jim be a regular at Huskie Stadium. Hopefully for opening night.
(06-13-2015 09:54 AM)Skinut Wrote: I know I'll be pegged as a Heretic, but Corneilson sucks. I've been a singer for 40 odd years and he's staid, stiff and his diction is bad.
I cringe at the start of each game.
Damn. Do you think you could sing the National anthem for us, then?
(06-13-2015 09:54 AM)Skinut Wrote: I know I'll be pegged as a Heretic, but Corneilson sucks. I've been a singer for 40 odd years and he's staid, stiff and his diction is bad.
I cringe at the start of each game.
Bullcrap. Can you stimulate and stir up a crowd like Cornelison can?
In his defense, he will always be compared to the best anthem singing ever in Wayne Mesmer. That anthem in the old stadium in the late 80's and early 90's was truly an event in itself and will never be replicated in any sports venue...ever. There were not as many Blackhawk fans back then, the old saying "yeah the Blackhawks sell out, but its the same 18,000 every game" was probably somewhat true. But man oh man, were those 18,000 some of the best and most diehard sports fans ever. My nephews are huge Hawks fans and I would give my left arm if they could have experienced just one time a game at the old Chicago Stadium.
(06-13-2015 12:32 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: In his defense, he will always be compared to the best anthem singing ever in Wayne Mesmer. That anthem in the old stadium in the late 80's and early 90's was truly an event in itself and will never be replicated in any sports venue...ever. There were not as many Blackhawk fans back then, the old saying "yeah the Blackhawks sell out, but its the same 18,000 every game" was probably somewhat true. But man oh man, were those 18,000 some of the best and most diehard sports fans ever. My nephews are huge Hawks fans and I would give my left arm if they could have experienced just one time a game at the old Chicago Stadium.
It certainly was something. I also remember going to the Chicago Stadium in the 1960s to watch the likes of Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Jim Pappin, Pierre Pilotte, Glen Hall, Gerry Desjardins, etc. We didn't have as dramatic of a National Anthem, but man oh man, what a team! The current team's stars will probably go down as the best, but the league had so many superstar greats back then. The only way we could get tickets was by buying a dinner package through the Blackhawk restaurant on Wabash downtown.
(06-13-2015 01:51 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote: Wow that was a big yawn fest for me as far as the singing goes... Technically good but boring overall.
I enjoy Jim's singing a bit more but it's not amazing by itself.
I feel like sometimes Corneilson would be better served in an opera like setting, but Mesmer just had the voice that worked for this type of setting, very strong voice. It was the bare bones athem, sung simply, sung strong. It was just perfect for this type of era and these type of fans. This type of atmosphere will never be replicated which is the sad thing to me, in any pro sport, in any era, ever.
(This post was last modified: 06-13-2015 02:59 PM by MaddDawgz02.)
(06-13-2015 12:32 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: In his defense, he will always be compared to the best anthem singing ever in Wayne Mesmer. That anthem in the old stadium in the late 80's and early 90's was truly an event in itself and will never be replicated in any sports venue...ever. There were not as many Blackhawk fans back then, the old saying "yeah the Blackhawks sell out, but its the same 18,000 every game" was probably somewhat true. But man oh man, were those 18,000 some of the best and most diehard sports fans ever. My nephews are huge Hawks fans and I would give my left arm if they could have experienced just one time a game at the old Chicago Stadium.
It certainly was something. I also remember going to the Chicago Stadium in the 1960s to watch the likes of Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Jim Pappin, Pierre Pilotte, Glen Hall, Gerry Desjardins, etc. We didn't have as dramatic of a National Anthem, but man oh man, what a team! The current team's stars will probably go down as the best, but the league had so many superstar greats back then. The only way we could get tickets was by buying a dinner package through the Blackhawk restaurant on Wabash downtown.
That must have been an incredible era to see the Hawks, so much skill! I did not become a fan until the mid 80's, the anthem was starting to become a big deal when I became a fan and I cannot quite remember when the whole thing started, but I think I have heard some recollections that it might have started in a playoff series in the mid 80's against the dreaded Oilers. It is amazing to me how the fanbase has changed. Back in the 80's and 90's it was basically 90% of your fans were 20-40 year olds, not all that may young ones. Today its certainly a much younger crowd, and probably really ramped up in that younger group with the arrival of Toews and Kane. If I had children I really wouldn't feel comfortable bringing them to the old stadium. The way the Hawks swarmed their opponents in the first 10 mins at that old Stadium with a jacked up crowd was unreal.
(This post was last modified: 06-14-2015 12:50 PM by MaddDawgz02.)
(06-13-2015 12:32 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: In his defense, he will always be compared to the best anthem singing ever in Wayne Mesmer. That anthem in the old stadium in the late 80's and early 90's was truly an event in itself and will never be replicated in any sports venue...ever. There were not as many Blackhawk fans back then, the old saying "yeah the Blackhawks sell out, but its the same 18,000 every game" was probably somewhat true. But man oh man, were those 18,000 some of the best and most diehard sports fans ever. My nephews are huge Hawks fans and I would give my left arm if they could have experienced just one time a game at the old Chicago Stadium.
Those were good times. But don't forget Elmer Vasko and Erick Nesterenko. I remember one time I was working in the city and I was to meet my bro in law and two others for a game but was early so went to Billy Goat Tavern. The clientele was worse than the goat so I went one block west to another bar and I was the only white guy in the place. Got some looks but had some cold beers and listened to some good music. By the way I think my first game was second balcony ($.75) and I got my first underage beers for I think $.50 no questions asked. Still have a hockey card of Mikita and a caricature of Stan and Kenny Wharrem(sp).
GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It certainly was something. I also remember going to the Chicago Stadium in the 1960s to watch the likes of Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Jim Pappin, Pierre Pilotte, Glen Hall, Gerry Desjardins, etc. We didn't have as dramatic of a National Anthem, but man oh man, what a team! The current team's stars will probably go down as the best, but the league had so many superstar greats back then. The only way we could get tickets was by buying a dinner package through the Blackhawk restaurant on Wabash downtown.
That must have been an incredible era to see the Hawks, so much skill! I did not become a fan until the mid 80's, the anthem was starting to become a big deal when I became a fan and I cannot quite remember when the whole thing started, but I think I have heard some recollections that it might have started in a playoff series in the mid 80's against the dreaded Oilers. It is amazing to me how the fanbase has changed. Back in the 80's and 90's it was basically 90% of your fans were 20-40 year olds, not all that may young ones. Today its certainly a much younger crowd, and probably really ramped up in that younger group with the arrival of Toews and Kane. If I had children I really wouldn't feel comfortable bringing them to the old stadium. The way the Hawks swarmed their opponents in the first 10 mins at that old Stadium with a jacked up crowd was unreal.
(06-13-2015 01:51 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote: Wow that was a big yawn fest for me as far as the singing goes... Technically good but boring overall.
I enjoy Jim's singing a bit more but it's not amazing by itself.
I feel like sometimes Corneilson would be better served in an opera like setting, but Mesmer just had the voice that worked for this type of setting, very strong voice. It was the bare bones athem, sung simply, sung strong. It was just perfect for this type of era and these type of fans. This type of atmosphere will never be replicated which is the sad thing to me, in any pro sport, in any era, ever.
He was an opera singer (Cornielson).
(This post was last modified: 06-14-2015 07:32 PM by NIUAlum90.)
thanks for sharing
