John Tesh to Perform 'Roundball Rock' Live to Open 75th All-Star Game
Legendary composer and broadcaster John Tesh will perform his signature theme, "Roundball Rock, " live inside an arena for the first time to introduce the 75th All-Star Game on Feb. 15, 2026 at 5 p. m. ET. The move marks a high-profile musical moment for a weekend already stacked with major performances and star talent.
Historic live debut of an iconic theme
"Roundball Rock, " the instantly recognizable theme that underscored national basketball broadcasts throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, will be played live inside the arena prior to tip-off. This is the first time the composition will be performed live in a sports arena, elevating a piece of broadcast music into a center-court spectacle. Tesh, who built a reputation as both a composer and a radio and television personality, will lead the performance, bringing a widely heard television theme into a new live setting for fans in attendance and viewers at home.
All-Star Weekend lineup and fan experience
The league has assembled a broad entertainment slate across the All-Star Weekend, with headline performances and a curated concert series running through Feb. 12-15. On Feb. 14 at 5 p. m. ET, a major in-arena act will headline Saturday night festivities ahead of the slam dunk competition, while the All-Star Game on Feb. 15 will feature the live rendition of "Roundball Rock" as the opening musical moment. Ahead of tip-off on Sunday, a lineup of acclaimed vocalists will perform national anthems for both countries represented during the game, and an Emmy Award–winning musical director will oversee the on-court music production throughout the weekend.
The weekend programming extends beyond the arena with a crossover concert series and fan activations at the nearby convention center. Those events will include live performances from a mix of established names and rising stars, on-court programming, and cultural showcases aimed at offering fans a multi-night entertainment experience in addition to the basketball competitions.
Why the moment matters
The decision to bring "Roundball Rock" into a live arena setting underscores the theme's enduring cultural resonance. First introduced in national broadcasts from 1990 to 2002, the melody has long been associated with marquee basketball moments and has become shorthand for the sport itself in the public imagination. Presenting the piece live signals a bridge between broadcast tradition and in-person spectacle, giving long-time fans a nostalgic highlight while introducing the theme to a new generation in a concert-style setting.
For Tesh, the performance is a rare public musical event that leverages his background in composition and live presentation. The All-Star Weekend production team will employ a full musical ensemble and staging designed to translate the theme's television-era familiarity into an immersive arena moment. Organizers say the broader weekend will also place emphasis on community programming, education and inclusion initiatives tied to the league's annual All-Star activities.
With the 75th All-Star Game returning to a prominent national stage and a host of musical headliners scheduled across the weekend, the live debut of "Roundball Rock" is poised to be one of the weekend's most talked-about moments, blending broadcast legacy with live performance spectacle for fans in attendance and viewers tuning in at 5 p. m. ET on Feb. 15, 2026.
