Celebrity News January 19, 2009
Obama Family, Celebs Rock the Lincoln Memorial
Hollywood packed up and went east to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama -- and the festivities kicked-off with an all-star concert last night!
Barack, Michelle, Malia and Sasha enjoyed performances by Bruce Springsteen, Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, Usher, Shakira, Beyoncé, Jon Bon Jovi, Sheryl Corw, Josh Groban, U2 and others.
When Wonder took the stage to perform "Higher Ground," the President-elect did a little dance with his family. U2 frontman Bono dedicated "Pride" to the late Martin Luther King Jr., who 46 years ago spoke from the same location at the Memorial to encourage action in the civil rights movement. After the dedication, Bono stated that King's dream was close to realization, saying, "On Tuesday, that dream comes to pass!"
The future Commander-in-Chief also spoke to the crowd, highlighting the unity needed throughout the country, especially in this time of war and economic uncertainty. "There is no doubt that our road will be long, that our climb will be steep," said Obama. "But never forget that the true character of our nation is revealed not during times of comfort and ease, but by the right we do when the moment is hard."
Tom Hanks, Jamie Foxx, Denzel Washington and Jack Black took the stage throughout the evening to read historical passages. Beyoncé closed the ceremony with her rendition of "America the Beautiful," featuring all the performers of the night -- before telling the crowd, "America, we are one."