Kelly Clarkson, James Taylor sang live at inauguration, even if Beyonce did not
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In the wake of Beyonce’s “Star Spangled Banner” lip-sync scandal, the opening acts on the bill at President Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony went into overdrive to reassure fans that they did in fact sing their songs live on Monday.
Former “American Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson sang “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” ahead of Beyonce, and her rep was quick to announce: “Kelly did sing live!”
Folk legend James Taylor, the day’s first musical guest, sang “America the Beautiful,” and also chose not to mouth over a backing track (which would have been quite a feat seeing as he was also strumming a guitar). “He was playing and singing live,” his rep said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Meanwhile, the Marine Band that backed Beyonce admitted it, too, had faked its performance, but placed the blame firmly on the “Put a Ring On It” singer.
“The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) requested that the Marine Band accompany Beyonce Knowles-Carter in the performance of the Star-Spangled Banner at the 2013 Inaugural Ceremony. However, there was no opportunity for Ms. Knowles-Carter to rehearse with the Marine Band before the Inauguration so it was determined that a live performance by the band was ill-advised for such a high-profile event,” Capt. Gregory A. Wolf told FOX411 in a statement.
- Inaugural Song Smackdown: Who won, Beyonce or Kelly Clarkson?
- ‘FrackNation’ documentary examines environmental claims
- The Lovely and Talented Beyonce Knowles
- Report: Steven Seagal asks for Presidential pardon for his own extorter
- Sundance: Ticket holders bumped from film for $3,000 festival pass bigwigs
Indeed Fox News sources confirmed Beyonce was a no-show at the inauguration rehearsals.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“Each piece of music scheduled for performance in the Inauguration is pre-recorded for use in case of freezing temperatures, equipment failure, or extenuating circumstances,” the rep explained.
The Marine Band would, however, neither confirm nor deny Beyonce’s lip-sync, backing off previous statements that she had in fact phone it in.
“Regarding Ms. Knowles-Carter's vocal performance, no one in the Marine Band is in a position to assess whether it was live or pre-recorded,” the rep said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Beyonce’s rep did not return a request for comment. The singer is scheduled to be the halftime entertainment at the Super Bowl in two weeks.
Faking a performance is not unheard of, even at an inauguration.
In 2009, cellist Yo-Yo Ma was questioned about "hand-syncing" for Obama's first inauguration. Ma said instruments weren't functioning properly in 19-degree weather.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}And Whitney Houston's memorable performance of the national anthem in 1991 at the Super Bowl was sung to a track.
Singer Beau Davidson, who sang the "Star Spangled Banner" several times at Mitt Romney's campaign stops, told FOX411 he delivered all of his performances of the song live, and only once in his career sang over a previous recording, and that was because he had bronchitis.
"Sometimes, as singers, we get sick or vocally tired, and if we can't deliver an excellent performance, we may feel the need to lean on a prior recording," he said. "It's our voice -- sorry Milli Vanilli -- just not live at that moment."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I think we all know she can hit those notes, and hit them well," Dadvidson added. "I firmly believe in live singing, but if she was trying to deliver a great performance or was singing while sick, I think we all can understand that. She's got a track record of excellence."
Fans seemed to be split on whether or not they cared that Beyonce didn't perform live.
"Even if she did WHO CARES??!? You know she can sing it," one user posted on Facebook.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"What's with all the excuses nowadays? If you're such a renowned singer, then shouldn't you do what you supposedly do best and SING?" another disagreed.