Martha Reeves criticized her backup singers during a rehearsal for the national anthem, but the actual performance at the Women's Pro Baseball League debut did not go smoothly either.
TMZ obtained video of the Motown legend practicing "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the league's first game.
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The rehearsal was nearly as rocky as the rendition that later drew criticism.
At one point, Reeves stopped the singers and said, "That's out of tune," before asking who was singing the same note as her.
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She then addressed the backup singers over the stadium microphone, saying, "I don't think I need them. I don't need them."
However, the backup singers can indeed carry a tune.
TMZ also obtained video of them performing the anthem at a hockey game, where they sounded quite good.
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In other words, they might not have been the problem.
As previously reported, Reeves told TMZ that wet and windy conditions, along with the lack of stage monitors, prevented her from hearing herself properly during the WPBL debut.
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The 85-year-old acknowledged it wasn't the performance she wanted, but she said she was grateful to support the athletes and the groundbreaking new league.
