NEW YORK (WABC) --
The New York Rangers announced that their longtime national anthem singer, John Amirante, died Tuesday morning at age 83.His wife, Annie, told the team he died of natural causes Tuesday in New York after about a week in the hospital.
Amirante was born in the Bronx and sang the anthem for the Rangers at Madison Square Garden from 1980 until he retired in 2015 and on special occasions afterward.
He was known for getting the MSG crowd going by waving his arms patriotically at the pinnacle of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
A memorable rendition came on June 14, 1994, when the Rangers beat the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 of the final to win their first Stanley Cup since 1940.
He also sang the national anthem on occasion at New York Yankees and New York Mets baseball games.
The Rangers tweeted about the loss:
It is with great sadness our Rangers family shares the loss of legendary anthem singer John Amirante, who passed away this morning at 83.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 17, 2018
Our thoughts are with his wife Ann, his children and the entire Amirante family.
We will forever remember and miss John @TheGarden. pic.twitter.com/6jc2qowYhF
Ladies and gentlemen, we ask that you please rise and remove your hats for the National Anthem.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 17, 2018
Here to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" the one and only, John Amirante. pic.twitter.com/N0qmCHAIKX
Amirante is survived by his wife and children.
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