(Jan. 18, 2006) -- Aretha Franklin will join New Orleans singer Aaron Neville in performing the national anthem at next month's Super Bowl.
The Grammy Award-winning singers will be accompanied by another veteran New Orleans musician, pianist Dr. John.
"The combination of all three should present a very memorable performance," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the Detroit Free Press.
Franklin, Neville and a 150-person backing choir will sing to a taped vocal track to be recorded in Detroit several days before the Feb. 5 game at Detroit's Ford Field, the Free Press reported on its website.
In addition, singers John Legend and Joss Stone will join Motown legend Stevie Wonder in performing Wonder's hits as part of the Super Bowl pregame show, which will be broadcast live on ABC.
The NFL selected Neville, whose home was damaged by Hurricane Katrina, in part to honor the singer's hometown of New Orleans. Neville also performed the national anthem at the 1990 Super Bowl in New Orleans.
Past Super Bowl anthem singers include Diana Ross, Barry Manilow, Whitney Houston, Garth Brooks, Jewel and Beyonce Knowles.
