Denzel, Beyonce and Bono: The A-List Inauguration!
By
Kit Bowen
|
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Let the inaugural celebrity celebration begin!
Bono, Bruce Springsteen and Beyonce Knowles were among a list of performers paying heartfelt tributes to U.S. President-elect Barack Obama at a star-studded musical extravaganza just two days before his inauguration.
Millions gathered at Washington D.C.'s Lincoln Memorial for the free musical tribute, with historical readings given by a host of celebrities, including Jamie Foxx, Queen Latifah, Marisa Tomei and Tom Hanks.
Beginning the tribute, actor Denzel Washington addressed the crowd: "On this day, we are inspired by the man we have elected to be the 44th President of the United States of America.
"As Barack Obama has told us, we are not a collection of red states and blue states, we are the United States. We come here knowing that we are all in this together. So we name this ceremony that begins this inaugural week with three simple words that speak to who we are and to our future, and they are: We Are One...
"Music has always been the creative heartbeat of the American experience, enriching our lives lifting our spirits and touching our deepest emotions. Thank you."
In between performances, U2 frontman Bono later dedicated the band's song City of Blinding Lights to the politician: "What a thrill for four Irish boys form the North side of Dublin to honor you, Sir, the next President of the United States, Barack Obama, for choosing this song to be on the soundtrack of your campaign... Thank you America. God Bless You."
The concert, closed by Knowles singing the Star Spangled banner, also featured performances by Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Usher, Shakira, and Sheryl Crow.
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Photo(s) by Kevin Mazur/Courtesy of HBO- © 2009- All Rights Reserved
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