- John Tesh will perform his iconic theme “Roundball Rock” live to open Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game.
- It will be the first time the song is played live inside a sports arena, the NBA said.
- NBC returns as an NBA rights holder; Ludacris, Brandy and Sarah McLachlan are also scheduled to perform.
What’s happening
John Tesh will step onto the All-Star stage in Inglewood to perform “Roundball Rock” live before Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game. The performance will air on NBC and Peacock as part of the league’s weekend programming.
Why this performance is notable
“Roundball Rock” served as NBC’s NBA theme from 1990 through 2002 and is widely associated with some of the league’s most memorable moments. The league said playing the track live celebrates NBC’s return to NBA broadcasts after a 24-year absence and the start of a new 11-year broadcast agreement.
This will mark the first time Tesh performs the piece inside a sports arena, according to the NBA, turning a long-familiar studio track into a live, stadium moment for fans in attendance and millions watching on TV and streaming.
Weekend lineup and timings
- Saturday: Ludacris will headline a performance set before the NBA All-Star dunk contest. The three-time Grammy winner is set to energize the arena ahead of one of the weekend’s marquee events.
- Sunday: John Tesh performs “Roundball Rock” to introduce the All-Star Game broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
- Sunday national anthems: Brandy will sing the U.S. national anthem and Sarah McLachlan will perform the Canadian national anthem, both listed as Grammy-winning talent.
What fans can expect
Expect a short, high-energy arrangement meant to pump up both the arena and the TV audience. Given the song’s iconic status, producers will likely blend the live instrumentation with the familiar horn line and driving rhythm that made the theme a staple of NBA broadcasts in the 1990s and early 2000s.
For fans watching at home, NBC and Peacock will feature the performance as part of the All-Star Game opening sequence. The live setting, combined with modern production tools, could give the theme a fresh finish while remaining faithful to the original arrangement that many viewers remember.
The broader context
The live performance ties to the NBA’s broader push to make All-Star weekend a multi-platform spectacle that blends music, sport and entertainment. Bringing back “Roundball Rock” in a live format nods to NBA history while signaling the league’s partnership with NBC for the foreseeable future.
Whether longtime fans will relish the live revival or new viewers will discover the tune for the first time, the moment is set to be one of the weekend’s most talked-about highlights.
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