Aretha Franklin To Perform At Obama’s Inauguration

  • PRINT
 
 

FIRST PUBLISHED: December 17, 2008 4:03 PM EST
LAST UPDATED: December 17, 2008 4:09 PM EST

WASHINGTON, D.C. --

Aretha Franklin will sing, Pastor Rick Warren will pray and Yo-Yo Ma will play the cello during President-elect Barack Obama’s Inauguration.

Congressional leaders on Wednesday announced the program, which also will feature poet Elizabeth Alexander; the Rev. Joseph Lowery, a veteran civil rights leader; and the U.S. Marine and Navy bands. The Jan. 20 event on the steps of the Capitol is expected to draw as many as four million visitors to see Obama take the noontime oath from Chief Justice John Roberts.

Violinist Itzhak Perlman, pianist Gabriela Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill will join Ma for a new work composed by John Williams.

Vice President-elect Joe Biden will take his oath from Justice John Paul Stevens.

Copyright 2009 by Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Keep your Access to everything in Hollywood! Breaking news and personal commentary from Billy, Tony, Shaun, Maria & all of our producers! Follow us on and now!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What Do You Think?

Who was the best dressed at the ‘Valentine’s Day’ premiere?

  • Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Biel arrive at the premiere of’Valentine’s Day,’ Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, LA, February 8, 2010
     
  • Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of ‘Valentine’s Day’ at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on February 8, 2010 in Los Angeles, Calif.
     
  • Jessica Biel arrives at the premiere of ‘Valentine’s Day’ held at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Los Angeles, February 8, 2010
     
  • Jessica Alba arrives at the premiere of New Line Cinema’s ‘Valentine’s Day’ at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif. on February 8, 2010
     
  • Jennifer Garner steps out at the premiere of New Line Cinema’s ‘Valentine’s Day’ held at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif. on February 8, 2010
     
  • Emma Roberts shines at the premiere of New Line Cinema’s ‘Valentine’s Day’ held at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif. on February 8, 2010
     
  • Anne Hathaway opts for a blue dress at the premiere of ‘Valentine’s Day’ held at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Los Angeles, February 8, 2010