Inauguration Performances

Having performances included in the presidential Inauguration celebrations have been occurring for decades. Tomorrow night, Toby Keith, 3 Doors Down and Lee Greenwood are set to perform at the “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration” to kick off the 3-day Inauguration of Donald Trump. Friday, he will be joined on stage by the New York City Rockettes and 16 year old, America’s Got Talent contestant, Jackie Evancho. Evancho, who will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” is no stranger to presidential events having performed at the White House Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in 2010 and the National Prayer Breakfast in 2012.

The 1961 Inauguration for JFK Jr. was star studded with performances by Nat King Cole, Bette Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

In 1965, a then new-comer, Barbra Streisand performed for Lyndon B. Johnson. She would later perform for George H.W. Bush at his Inauguration Gala in 1989 and then in 1993 for Bill Clinton.

Also in 1993? Michael Jackson performed as part of “We are the World” and had his own performance of “Heal the World” and “Gone Too Soon”. While the then broken up, Fleetwood Mac reunited to perform.

2017 performer, Lee Greenwood also took part in the Inauguration of George W. Bush in 2001 along with Beyoncé and her group, Destiny’s Child. The trio performed at “The Concert Celebrating America’s Youth”. Also on the bill? Ricky Martin, 98 Degrees and Jessica Simpson.

Beyoncé, would later go on to perform, solo, at Barack Obama’s two inaugurations; in 2009 she performed “At Last” for the first dance at the Ball and then sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Inauguration Day in 2013. 

The Inaugural Swearing-In Ceremony will take place at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building beginning at 9:30 a.m. EST Friday, January 20, 2017.

Written by Kristen

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