We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial. With smile, Barack and Michelle Obama danced and waved to their favorite stars at the inaugural kick-off concert.
The Obamas and Bidens -- all sitting in a glass bulletproof section near the stage erected on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial -- had front-row seats to the star-studded show. Obama's two daughters, Malia and Sasha, sat between Barack and Michelle. Malia was busy taking photos with her digital camera. Five minutes later, everyone rose to sing the National Anthem At 2:30 p.m.
Denzel Washington gave an introductory speech. Bruce Springsteen sang "The Rising" with a red-and-white-robed gospel choir behind him.
Then, actress Laura Linney spoke about former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King III read some of John F. Kennedy's famous words. Mary J. Blige then sang "Lean On Me." Obama beamed at her during the performance.
Steve Carell and Jamie Foxx took the stage next to speak to the swelling crowd.
Betty LaVette duetted with Jon Bon Jovi. Obama was bopping to the music, and Malia continued to take photos of the crowd. After the song, Tom Hanks, who as Forrest Gump famously gave a speech at the monument steps -- talked about Abraham Lincoln and said, "We cannot escape history." Next up was Marisa Tomei, who talked about how Americans are a family. The music picked up again when James Taylor, John Legend and Faith Hill performed a song together.
Vice President-elect Joe Biden gave a speech and said: "Anyone can make it if given a fair chance. Work isn't about money -- it's about dignity and respect." John Mellencamp sang "Ain't That America."
Queen Latifah spoke at 3:30 p.m. and said, "We're celebrating not just the Inauguration of a new president, but the journey of America continuing to be America." Josh Groban then sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee." After the patriotic number, George Lopez and Kal Penn -- who had the crowd screaming out "Kumar!" -- spoke. Lopez ad-libbed part of his speech and called out: "Anyone here from out of town? Well, you're all home now!"
Then, will.i.am and Sheryl Crow sang Bob Marley's "One Love." When the song morphed into the Black Eyed Peas' "Where is the Love?," Michelle began dancing along in her seat and waving at the performers.
After that powerhouse performance, golf pro Tiger Woods gave a speech honoring men and women in uniform, and the US Naval Academy Glee Club perfomed. Garth Brooks followed them up by singing two songs -- "American Pie" and "Shout."
Jack Black and Rosario Dawson spoke together before Stevie Wonder, Usher and Shakira sang Wonder's "Higher Ground." During the performance, Wonder shouted, "Good luck, Obama!"
Samuel L. Jackson introduced U2, who sang "In the Name of Love." Frontman Bono congratulated Obama, who smiled back at the rocker.
When the concert was about to come to a close, Obama took the stage to thank everyone for coming and adressed the challenges ahead: "Anything is possible in America. What gives me the greatest hope is you."
Beyonce then sang the finale, "America" as all the day's performers joined her on stage.
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