Harmonica Pete’s rendition of the National Anthem is nothing short of captivating. Born Peter B. DuPré, Harmonica Pete served as a medic for the United States Army stationed in England during World War II. Now, at 96 years old, he continues to captivate audiences with his talent.
If you haven’t had the pleasure of hearing Harmonica Pete’s rendition, I highly recommend searching for it on YouTube. His performance is a testament to the enduring power and beauty of the National Anthem, and it’s sure to leave you in awe.
In 2019, Harmonica Pete was honored with the opportunity to perform the US National Anthem before a Memorial Day weekend soccer match between the US and Mexico women’s teams. Dressed in a US soccer shirt and adorned with a “World War II Veteran” hat adorned with pins and medals, Harmonica Pete took the stage in front of a crowd of 26,000.
Despite the enormity of the occasion, Harmonica Pete remained humble about his remarkable talent with the harmonica. His performance filled the arena with beautifully sweet notes, showcasing his skill and passion for music.
“I am a harmonica player,” he mentioned modestly. “I never know a darn issue about songs, but I know how to make a harmonica discuss.”
Peter’s performance was truly remarkable, sending shivers down the spine of those who witnessed it. The video quickly went viral on the internet, garnering around 9 million views across platforms like Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter).
Despite the accolades and attention, Peter remained characteristically humble about his heroics on the harmonica. “This was just the basic ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ the way it was created, and played the way it was meant to be performed,” he said with a shrug.