“On that first day, we asked Springsteen, Bono and Garth Brooks within a period of 45 minutes and got three `yeses.’ We said, `This is going to be fun.'”
George Stevens Jr., the producer of the Barack Obama inaugural celebration show that will be taking place at the Washington Monument on Sunday. The president-elect and his family are due to attend, with Obama expected to speak. Stevens was blown away by how easy it was to book talent for the event.
Other performers include Stevie Wonder, Renee Fleming, Garth Brooks, Mary J. Blige, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban, Beyonce and Jennifer Nettles. Historical passages will be read by Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington, with other celebrities expected to join them.
HBO will televise the show at 7 p.m. EST.
I applaud the diverse range in musical performers, but it seems a little bit trite for all of the historical passages to be read by African-Americans.
i agreeeeee. what is it with every passage reader being african american??? aren’t we big on the different cultures thing?
AGREED.
Pendulum is swinging too much to one side. Balance is needed….not a good way to start off what is a chapter in our history and an event that EVERYONE of ALL colors and creeds is looking forward to.
I also agree. Do you think we will be accused of playing the race card? LOL
listen this clearly has nothing to do with race. if the scary talent that is jamie foxx was white, we all know his ass would still be up there regardless of race. he’s a guilded voice of a generation… i can’t stand people who want to say this is about race…
i voted for and like obama but picking jamie foxx and queen latifah, honestly how many brilliant non-black way more talented talents who have contributed far more to the core of humanity were ignored while semi-known half-wits who happen to be black are moved up? go black people, but overcompensation is it’s own racism.
i willing to admit though that maybe obama just can’t fully win on this one
I think these things have been getting out of control for a while. How much are we taxpayers ponying up for all these parties?
Happy days. Goodbye Tumbler hello Renegade.
that sounds more like a rock concert/festival than an inauguration…
That is because it is not the inauguration. That will take place on Tuesday, this is just a party on Sunday to celebrate it in advance.
So, honestly, someone thinks that at the inauguration of the first African American president, they should allow Paris Hilton, Miley Cyrus, and others as such to read historical passages? I mean, this is not just about a presidential inauguration, but what Obama has done for the morale of the African American community is invaluable, even if the last eight years are irrepairable in the upcoming four.
So, who the hell do you all want to read HISTORICAL PASSAGES? Do you know the freaking history of our country, a history that has left our society in shambles and stripped us of the knowledge and ability to fix it, no matter how smart we are? I mean, damn!
“The president elect and his family are due to attend, with Obama expected to speak.” ……Ummm…NO SHIT?!
hmmmm…lets count the number of african americans that have been allowed to read historical passages in all the past presidential inaugarations…i’m pretty sure the number would be low…get over it.
True, true.
What..no Michael Richards?
All Jamie Foxx is known for is being spotted at parties with people half his age and getting up on stage to do his version of “singing”. Why should he get to read a historical passage? I can think of many, many, many others who deserve that honor, black and white. Not a no-talent jack#$@ like him!