The inauguration ceremony was far from normal, with the city of Washington locked in security concerns and most of the related events were held pretty much due to the coronavirus pandemic. But something that was pretty much gone four years ago returned with Joe Biden’s inauguration as president: front line artists.
A slew of famous entertainers join the rallies in the US capital – virtually or in person – to welcome the new administration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, a popular Hollywood duo, where Donald Trump was certainly not.
They are guided by Lady Gaga, who performed the national anthem for the Capitol on Wednesday, followed by Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks.
López, of Puerto Rican descent, sang a medley of “America the Beautiful” and “This Land Is Your Land” in which he included a phrase from the flag’s promise in Spanish: “A nation under God, indivisible, with freedom and justice for all ”. Brooks later sang “Amazing Grace.
Gaga posted a photo on Twitter and Instagram on Tuesday afternoon of her booth at the Capitol, the site of the fatal January 6 protests. He called the Inauguration Day “a day of peace for all Americans. A day of love, not hate. A day for acceptance, not for fear ”.
Other great artists will be part of ‘Celebrating America’, a 90-minute special presented by Tom Hanks that will be broadcast on multiple television networks and this year will replace the traditional official dances. “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda will contribute with a classical lecture, and musicians such as Bruce Springsteen will perform, John Legend, Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake and Bon Jovi. Ozuna and Luis Fonsi They will participate in DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic. Hosts Kerry Washington and Eva Longoria will be joined by basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, chief José Andres, civil rights leader Dolores Huerta and Kim Ng, the first woman to serve as MLB general manager.
The inaugural committee has made sure to mix this list of celebrities with ordinary Americans and inspiring stories. There will be tributes to a UPS postal driver, a kindergarten teacher and Sandra Lindsay, the first New Yorker to receive the COVID-19 vaccine outside of clinical trials. The events can be viewed on ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, MSNBC and PBS, as well as on the committee’s social media channels and associated streaming services.
There will also be a parade on Wednesday afternoon called “Parade Across America”, hosted by actor Tony Goldwyn with performances from the likes of Jon Stewart, Earth Wind & Fire and the New Radicals.
The story of celebrities performing at the president’s inaugurations It dates back to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s third inauguration in 1941, when a gala the night before included performances by Irving Berlin, Mickey Rooney and Charlie Chaplin, says Lina Mann of the White House Historical Association. “Chaplin performed his ‘The Great Dictator’ monologue,” said Mann.
The celebrity component only increased over time, and one of the most notable investments was that of John F. Kennedy in 1961. The celebration, hosted by Frank Sinatra, drew Harry Belafonte, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Gene On. Kelly, Ethel Merman, Laurence Olivier, Sidney Poitier and others.
At Barack Obama’s first swearing-in ceremony in 2009, Aretha Franklin sang “My Country,” Tis of Thee, “and Beyonce calmed the new president and his wife Michelle with her rendition of” At Last “at the opening dance.