Entertainment · 4 August 2026

Motown legend Martha Reeves goes viral over shaky baseball anthem

Aug856 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Martha Reeves, the 85-year-old Motown singer, sparked online amusement after a shaky performance of the American national anthem. She took to the field on Saturday, August 1, for the opening game of the new Women's Professional Baseball League in Springfield, Illinois. Reeves later blamed the blunder on wet, windy weather conditions and a lack of proper stage monitors.

By BriefTea Editorial · 4 August 2026 at 11:27

Reported by Independent · How we write briefs

Get the app

Understand this story

Who is Martha Reeves? What is the national anthem? What is professional baseball?

More briefs

EntertainmentBBC to air two-part documentary on J.K. Rowling next year EntertainmentArion Kurtaj, GTA 6 leaker, stands trial November 9 EntertainmentPrince Harry says he felt depressed after leaving UK in 2019 EntertainmentParents use AI to remove watermarks from school photos instead of paying EntertainmentBritish Museum apologises for Bayeux Tapestry visitor queues and makes changes EntertainmentHarry and Meghan make first UK appearance together at a pub More entertainment stories → Browse all stories →