National anthem singer honored

Rocco Scotti and his daughter, Jeanne.

Devon Oaks in Westlake recently honored resident and beloved Cleveland celebrity Rocco Scotti. After a video highlighting his 20-year singing career, Scotti spoke about his life and sang for his audience. Scotti said that in the beginning, while on his way to sing the national anthem, a little voice told him to sing loud and strong. “That night, everyone went crazy in the stadium,” said Scotti. “That was the night it all started.”

Scotti and his wife, June, traveled all over the country singing the anthem at events. Sometimes he sang the anthem as many as seven times a day at different locations. He also recorded two albums. Scotti met many famous people including Tom Hanks, who called him one day and asked Scotti to sing in his upcoming movie.  

Scotti, now 91 years young, is known for singing the national anthem for the Cleveland Indians, Cavaliers and Force. He sang it at nearly every Indians game at old Municipal Stadium for 20 years. Scotti sang the anthem for presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan; at stadiums in New York, Pittsburgh and Baltimore; at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. 

He received a Civilian Purple Heart for "inspiring patriotism through his exceptional performing of 'The Star-Spangled Banner'" and earned the distinction of having sung the anthem live more times and for more varied events than anyone in U.S. history.

Linda Hart

I am the Assistant Director for Public Relations for Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network.

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Volume 4, Issue 17, Posted 10:01 AM, 08.21.2012