Playing the National Anthem is an honor to perform singing, playing guitar or any other way. To kick off the USC football game against crosstown rivals UCLA in Los Angeles, the Coliseum crowd welcomed celebrated six-stringer Slash. With the assistance of the USC marching band, the top hat adorned guitarist delivered his rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner."

With his signature combination of Les Paul plugged into two Marshall amps, Slash got the fans and players ready for some football! The staccato lead playing accented each word while he utilized a combination of bends and hammer-ons to match the vibrato of how the song is typically sung.

The marching bands slowly assimilates themselves into the song, though it is tough to hear them in the video above with their sound being drowned out by Slash's guitar. Giving an extra boost to an already excited college crowd, the onetime Guns N' Roses axeman undoubtedly assisted the already palpable home field advantage. USC went on to win the game 40 to 21.

Other guitar greats have been invited to play the National Anthem, but none have topped the performance given by Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock in 1969. Playing a Monday morning set, Hendrix woke the crowd up with the most exhilarating guitar rendition of the song.

Rock artists who have performed the song include Pearl Jam, Joe Satriani, KISS, Ace Frehley, Ted Nugent and so many more. See their performances on this list of Top 10 National Anthem Guitar Solos.

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