I WAS an amateur basketball player as a student, spent two years in varsity during my junior and senior years in high school, played my whole four years in college and more years post-college. During my time, there was no fancy introduction. Players would simply brisk walk off into the huddle with their teammates as they await their names to get called. It was very far from the experience in professional basketball. And it was during the time of the 90s Chicago Bulls when the best sports introduction became one of the most awaited moments at the Chicago stadium.
If a visiting team would play against the Bulls at the United Center, those scenes would suck the confidence out of them. After introducing the first five of the opposing team, the lights switched off and the crowd goes wild. Spectacular pregame laser lights displaying the Bulls logo with heavy vibrations of the initial sound would put the crowd on their feet. At this moment, the other team must have felt they’re already trailing by ten points.
The instrumental music is entitled “Sirius” played by the British band, Alan Parsons Project. It is originally recorded to play for nearly two minutes as it segues directly into the hit song “Eye In The Sky.”
The leader of the band, Alan Parsons, is a highly regarded British producer who also worked with other iconic bands like The Beatles and Pink Floyd. Sirius was not mainly meant to be played in sports events. Parsons actually had never attended any of the Bulls game during the Michael Jordan era.
Little did he know that his intro song would reverberate the whole stadium like an thunder shock, becoming firmly linked to the image of Michael Jordan and the Bulls storming the whole United Center en route to the dynasty of the 6-time NBA Champs.
But the intro experience is perfectly blended when the team’s Public Address announcer, Ray Clay brings the house down with his energetic voice that boosts the confidence and excitement of the basketball fans. Whenever this particular part of the game is being played, goosebumps are still felt even while watching replays.
The Jordan era may be over but the music of the Chicago Bulls still lives on at present time as it continuously evolves in visual effects. It is arguably the greatest of all time in terms of sports intro.
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Kuya J Pelayo IV is a Kapampangan broadcast journalist. For comments and suggestions, e-mail at 4th.pelayo@gmail.com