As arrangements for the public Presidential swearing-in ceremony are at their final stage in Washington DC, pop stars are ready to join the inauguration festivities. Earlier this month the Inauguration Committee announced Beyonce will sing the national anthem. Rumors are now circulating that Lady Gaga will perform at one of the inauguration balls. Popular artists have become regular guests at concerts during the inauguration period ever since Frank Sinatra performed at the President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration party in 1961.
Back then John F. Kennedy was a friend of many popular artists and Hollywood stars. That’s why when Kennedy asked Frank Sinatra, the most beloved singer at that time, to sing at an inauguration event, Sinatra came and sang. Time goes by, musical preferences change and now we learn that Lady Gaga, an extravagant American singer, may perform on Tuesday at a private ball organized especially for White House staffers. Earlier January the Inauguration Committee announced another diva Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor would sing at the swearing-in ceremony. Beyonce is expected to sing the national anthem. Clarkson will sing the patriotic song “My Country 'Tis of Thee” and Taylor - “America the Beautiful”. Inauguration balls date back to the very first inauguration of the George Washington in 1789. Since then balls were a regular accompaniment of the inauguration ceremony. Sometimes balls were cancelled by presidents for various reasons. In 1853 Franklin Pierce cancelled balls due to the mourning for his son. In 1913 Woodrow Wilson cancelled balls because of their expensiveness. In 1921 Warren G. Harding supported Wilson’s initiative and no balls were held due to the same reason. But inauguration balls are finally reinstated, they are popular and draw millions of people. Artists usually say “I’m honored” when accepting the invitation. Inauguration concerts do not only show who is who in the American popular music at the moment but they hint at the musical preferences of the nation’s first man. Beyonce seemed to be one of the luckiest as this year would be her second time. Back in 2009 she sang Etta James’ classic “At Last” as the Obamas were dancing at Washington Convention Center after Obama had said his first Oath of Office at the Capitol Hill. In 1993 at the Presidential Gala President Bill Clinton, then elected for the first time, was sharing the stage with Chuck Berry and Michael Jackson. “The younger the president, the more we see a connection to pop culture and to music,” said Phil Gallo, senior correspondent for Billboard. “So Kennedy, you have it. Nixon, you don't.” According to records of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, at Nixon’s inauguration the nation was listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing “This is My Country”. Еhe Mormon Tabernacle Choir participated six times in inauguration events: in 2001 for President George W. Bush, in 1989 for President George H.W. Bush, in 1981 for President Ronald Reagan, in 1973 and 1969 for both inaugurations of President Richard Nixon, and in 1965 for the, inauguration of President Lyndon B. Johnson. This year’s line-up include Alicia Keys, Katy Perry, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Marc Anthony, and Usher. Beloved music is what the public would certainly like before the nation haы to plunge into a new period of new challenges and tasks. Source: Voice of Russia
