A gigantic fireworks display at the White House. Image: dpa / David J. Phillip
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With Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and fireworks: America celebrates Biden and Harris
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were already able to come up with superstars during the election campaign – the top ranks from the film and music scene were also there when the 46th US President and Vice President took office: Rock legend Bruce Springsteen heated up on Wednesday with the classic “Land.” of Hope and Dreams “, Justin Timberlake and Ant Clemons presented their new song” Better Days “, Demi Lovato thrilled with the soul hit” Lovely Day “.
The grand finale featured pop star Katy Perry in white robe in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. For their hit song “Firework”, the capital experienced a fireworks spectacle that lasted for minutes. The sky above the White House glittered in bright rainbow colors.
Katy Perry sings “Firework” to the fireworks. Image: dpa / –
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Tom Hanks hosted TV special
With star power on stages and at balls, new presidents are traditionally celebrated on the day of the swearing-in. But because of the corona pandemic and increased security measures, the celebration marathon ran differently this time. The virtual stage on Wednesday evening (local time) was a live TV special, hosted by Tom Hanks (“Forrest Gump”, “Philadelphia”).
From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the two-time Oscar winner welcomed an audience of millions to the start of “Celebrating America”. In the past few weeks and years we have witnessed “deep division and worrying hatred,” said Hanks. Now it is time for unity and a better community.
Tom Hanks moderated the evening. Bild: ap
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For 90 minutes, star performances from many parts of the USA followed, alternating with appearances by Americans who had excelled as helpers during the Corona crisis. A thank you went to the New York nurse Sandra Lindsay, who was the first US citizen to receive the vaccine against Covid-19 in December. Also presented were two children who started aid campaigns for the needy. Now they all helped to announce great musicians.
Joe and Jill Biden were impressed. Bild: dpa / Evan Vucci
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Short speeches from Biden, Harris and Obama
Rock star Jon Bon Jovi reported with the Beatles hit “Here Comes the Sun” from Miami, the Foo Fighters around frontman Dave Grohl were added from Seattle, star cellist Yo-Yo Ma from Boston. In Nashville, country stars Tim McGraw and Tyler Hubbard performed their new song “Undivided,” a song with a message of mutual understanding.
The multiple Grammy winner John Legend sat at the concert grand in front of the Lincoln Memorial and performed the Nina Simone classic “Feeling Good”. In between, Biden, Harris and together the ex-presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama also had their say in short speeches.
What a setting: John Legend in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Bild: ap
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Lady Gaga had sung the national anthem
Big stars courted Biden and Harris during the daytime celebrations at the Capitol. Lady Gaga sang the US national anthem powerfully. With a sweeping red skirt and a striking, gold-shining dove of peace on her black top, the Grammy winner stepped up to a gold-colored microphone on the political stage.
Bild: ap / Caroline Brehman
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Latina star Jennifer Lopez, dressed all in white, made a moving performance with the songs “This Land Is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful”.
Country singer Garth Brooks appeared in front of the audience wearing a black cowboy hat. He started the sacred song “Amazing Grace” and asked all Americans to sing along. Brooks, a Republican, had called his appearance prior to the ceremony a “declaration of unity”. He had also appeared at the inauguration of Barack Obama in 2009, but in 2017, according to his own statements, had to turn down an invitation to the swearing-in of Republican Donald Trump because of another date.
Nobody wanted to sing for Trump back then
The contrast between Biden’s inauguration with pop megastars and Trump’s inauguration four years ago could hardly have been greater. Even for the national anthem, the Republican only found a third-class pop star named Jackie Evancho. The 16-year-old had previously participated in the casting show “America’s Got Talent”, the counterpart to the German television program “Das Supertalent”.
With his arduous search for stars around his celebration, Trump has drawn ridicule from the music scene. Refusals came from Elton John, DJ Moby and Andrea Bocelli, among others.
In 2009, when Obama’s first black US president took office, Aretha Franklin, arguably the greatest soul artist of all, sang. At Obama’s second ceremony in 2013, R&B star Beyoncé was in the spotlight with the anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner”.
With Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the White House, after Trump’s departure, other times are dawning again – also for the predominantly left-wing liberal music and film scene in the USA. Lady Gaga expressed this in a tweet on Wednesday. “I am honored to sing our national anthem for the American people”. This is a transition, a time of change, between the 45th and 46th US presidents. “This is very important to me.”
(hau / dpa)
