Quick answer: Joey Belladonna's real name is Joseph Bellardini. The Anthrax frontman, born October 13, 1960, in Oswego, New York, sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Lumen Field in Seattle before the Chicago Bears vs. Seattle Seahawks game on ESPN's Monday Night Football on November 2, 2026 (The Rock Revival; AllMusic; joeybelladonna.com).
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Why "anthem" is trending
The anthem became one of the night's big talking points after the Seahawks picked a thrash-metal icon for their primetime home game. Diario AS reported before kickoff that Belladonna, a six-time Grammy nominee who has performed with Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath and KISS, would sing before the Week 8 matchup (Diario AS).
How fans reacted
Reaction was split. The Mirror, via AOL, described the 66-year-old's take as an acoustic version and rounded up fan posts that ranged from harsh (one viewer called it a "national atrocity") to glowing ("Joey Belladonna just nailed the national anthem on Monday Night Football") (The Mirror via AOL). The Rock Revival, a rock news site, was more enthusiastic, saying he sang it "Anthrax style" in front of 69,000 fans (The Rock Revival). These are social media reactions, not a verdict, and you can judge the footage yourself.
From Bellardini to Belladonna
Belladonna was born Joseph Bellardini in Oswego, New York (AllMusic). He sang in upstate New York cover bands and, still using his birth name, fronted the band Bible Black in 1983. In 1984 he auditioned for Anthrax after the band let original singer Neil Turbin go. He later said he'd never heard of Anthrax before the audition (Loudwire).
His high, melodic tenor defined Anthrax's classic albums Spreading the Disease, Among the Living, State of Euphoria and Persistence of Time. He was fired in 1992 over creative differences (Los Angeles Times, 1992), returned briefly in 2005, and has toured with the band since 2010 (Wikipedia).
He isn't the only stage name in Anthrax. Co-founder and guitarist Scott Ian was born Scott Ian Rosenfeld (Wikipedia, citing The Bronx High School of Science alumni news).
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FAQ
What is Joey Belladonna's real name? Joseph Bellardini. He performs as Joey Belladonna.
Who sang the national anthem at the Bears vs. Seahawks Monday Night Football game? Joey Belladonna, lead singer of the thrash metal band Anthrax, on November 2, 2026, at Lumen Field in Seattle.
How old is Joey Belladonna? He's 66. He was born October 13, 1960.
Where is Joey Belladonna from? Oswego, New York.
Is Scott Ian his real name? Partly. Anthrax's guitarist was born Scott Ian Rosenfeld and later dropped his birth surname.