More than 20 years after Michael Jordan last retired in the NBA, the Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls entrance theme remains popular. The six-time NBA champion had just arrived to enjoy a bottle of wine at an unnamed location. To commemorate Jordan’s arrival, the restaurant staff played “Sirius” and nearly everyone stood up. “Master Shenqi” appreciated this gesture and raised his fist in thanks.
The five-time NBA MVP has long since retired from basketball, but remains extremely popular. He has become one of the savviest businessmen around. Jordan recently sold a majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets, taking a $3 billion hit from his bank account. The deal puts him on Forbes’ list of the top 400 companies released every September.
For many fans, especially those who watched Michael Jordan in his prime, the “Eye in the Sky” from “The Allen Parsons Project” is as iconic as “MJ.” Announcer and DJ Tommy Edwards was the brains behind the idea of using the song to introduce Chicago Bulls players.
Edwards started the trend of turning off the lights in the arena to introduce players, especially the home team. The Bulls hope he can take on more responsibilities and further promote the NBA’s biggest star in 1984. Edwards did it, and “Sirius” became synonymous with Jordan and his dynasty Bulls.
In a 2019 interview with NBC News, Edwards explained how he came up with the idea to play the song during the Chicago Bulls’ introductory game. While he was in the movie theater, a lightbulb flickered on:
“I told (my wife) Mary Lou, ‘I know this song. It’s Sirius from the Ellen Parsons project. The more I listened to it, I was like, ‘Wait a minute, this could be Bulls s song.”
The next day, he purchased the Alan Parsons Project’s sixth album and practiced his planned pregame routine for the Bulls players. Edwards’ idea was popular. The song went viral and became one of the most played themes for major NBA games.
Allen Parsons later learned Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls used “Sirius” as part of their pregame ritual
Allen Parsons has no idea how Tommy Edwards got his song as part of a Chicago Bulls introduction. He never imagined that one day it would become part of an NBA team’s pregame ritual.
The Bulls had been using the song for years when Parsons realized the song’s incredible popularity at Bulls home games. The songwriter admitted he wasn’t a basketball fan, so he had no idea “Sirius” had become synonymous with Michael Jordan. He didn’t know about Edwards’ introductory performance until some of his friends told him.
Allen Parsons admits he’s frustrated the Chicago Bulls haven’t contacted him. Still, he’s proud that his song became an iconic part of one of the NBA’s most unlikely dynasties, led by Michael Jordan.
editor
Michael Macacello