Beyonce, Bruce set for inauguration gig

Published: Jan. 13, 2009 at 11:49 AM
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Beyonce Knowles arrives for the premiere of "Cadillac Records" at the AMC Loews Theater  in New York on December 1, 2008.  (UPI Photo/Laura Cavanaugh)
Beyonce Knowles arrives for the premiere of "Cadillac Records" at the AMC Loews Theater in New York on December 1, 2008. (UPI Photo/Laura Cavanaugh) | Enlarge Enlarge
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Mary J. Blige and Garth Brooks have agreed to perform at a Washington concert celebrating Barack Obama's inauguration.

The Washington Post said Shakira, Usher, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Herbie Hancock, James Taylor, Heather Headley, Sheryl Crow, Will.I.Am, Josh Groban and Renee Fleming are also to sing at the free, 90-minute concert at the Lincoln Memorial Sunday afternoon.

"Everybody is going to do one song, but there were will be duets and trios and choirs," executive producer George Stevens Jr. told the Post.

The event, which will be broadcast on HBO for free that evening, will feature the recording artists singing songs with historical resonance or that connect to the theme of the "We Are One" concert, the newspaper said.

"We're never going to say, 'Ladies and gentlemen, let's give it up for Beyonce,' and she's going to come out and sing one of her songs," event producer Don Mischer told the Post. "It's going to be connecting music to history and ideas and American values."

In addition to the musical lineup, the Presidential Inaugural Committee also announced that Jamie Foxx, Denzel Washington and Queen Latifah will give historical readings.


© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.



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