In a January 14th, 2021 news release,President-elect Bidenâ€
At TeachRock, we believe one of the greatest tools for reflection is music, and the history of important American artists appearing at presidential inaugurations reinforces this power. Indeed, though we know more about the music, and the occasional controversies it caused, at inaugurations of the 20th century and beyond, nearly every historical account of an inauguration describes the soundscape of the event.
At its best, the presidential inauguration is much more than the triumphant parade of a victor--it is, and should always be, an opportunity to celebrate the fact that the incoming president was chosen by the people of the country, and few things represent a broader cross-section of the countryâ€
The timeline below offers a brief history of the sound of presidential inaugurations.
-1789 - First presidential Inauguration. Though there are no records of specific performers at the inauguration of George Washington, we do know that, “Inauguration Day began with the sounds of ceremonial artillery and church bells ringing across New York City, our nation's first capital,†and furthermore that he danced the Minuet at his celebration (whitehousehistory.org).
-1801 - Thomas Jefferson becomes the first president to take the oath of office in the new capital city, Washington D.C. His speech is also the first to be published in a newspaper. At Jeffersonâ€
-1925 - Calvin Coolidge becomes the first president to have his oath of office broadcast over American airwaves. Check out our lesson on how Radio Before Rock and Roll changed American life.
-1941 - Mickey Rooney performs for Franklin D. Roosevelt at his third inauguration, beginning the involvement of celebrities with inauguration ceremonies.
-1949 - Harry Truman becomes the first President whose swearing-in is televised.
-1957 - Contralto Marian Anderson performs for Dwight D. Eisenhower at his inauguration. An important figure in the struggle for African-American artists, Anderson was previously denied the opportunity to sing to an integrated audience in Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. in 1939. That same year, with the aid of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and her husband President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Anderson was invited to sing on the steps of the Lincoln memorial at an Easter Sunday concert.
-1961 - Once again, Marian Anderson performs at a presidential inauguration. This time for President John F. Kennedy. She is joined by the nightâ€
-1965 - Members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform at the inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson. The group makes an appearance decades later at the inauguration of Donald J. Trump.
-1969 - James Brown performs “Say It Loud - Iâ€
-1973 - Jazz singer Ethel Ennis performs for Richard Nixon at his second inauguration.
-1977 - Aretha Franklin sings “God Bless America†at the inaugural ball of Jimmy Carter. Other performers include Linda Ronstadt who performs a cover of Willie Nelsonâ€
-1981 - Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra perform at Ronald Reaganâ€
-1985 - Once again, Frank Sinatra performs for Ronald Regan at his second inauguration. Other inaugural performers include Dean Martin, Donna Summer, and the Beach Boys. For more on Donna Summer, check out our lesson on The Rise of Disco. For more on The Beach Boys, check out our lesson on The Musical Roots of the Surf Sound. Additionally, you can watch their performance of “Their Hearts Were Full of Spring,†meant to honor the first couple, here.
-1989 - Anita Baker performs her multi-platinum single, “Giving You The Best That I Got†at the inauguration of George H.W. Bush at his inauguration. Barbra Streisand also performs.
-1993 - Stars pack the inauguration stage for Bill Clinton, the first Democrat to hold office in 12 years. The lineup includes Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Michael Bolton, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan and lastly, Fleetwood Mac, who reunite specifically for the event. Watch Michael Jacksonâ€
-2001 - Charlotte Church, Jessica Simpson, Wayne Newton and 98 Degrees perform at the first inauguration of Republican president George W. Bush. But perhaps most memorably, the new president dances alongside Ricky Martin during his performance of “The Cup of Life.†Check that performance out here.
-2008 - Once again, stars pack the stage for the first African-American president, Democrat Barack Obama. His inauguration includes performances from Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé, Garth Brooks, U2, John Mellencamp, Pete Seeger, Sheryl Crow, Will.i.am, Shakira, Usher, James Taylor, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles and Bruce Springsteen, who performs a rendition of his post 9/11 ode, “The Rising.†Check out that performance here. See the links below for others from that day.
“This Land is Your Land†covered by Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen
“Pink Houses†performed by John Mellencamp
“At Last†covered by Beyoncé (Inaugural Ball, song dedicated to the first couple)
“My Country ‘Tis of Thee†performed by Aretha Franklin
“American Pie†covered by Garth Brooks
“Pride†and “City of Blinding Lights†performed by U2
“Shower the People†performed by James Taylor, John Legend and Jennifer Nettles
“One Love†covered by Sheryl Crow and Will.i.am
“Higher Ground†performed by Stevie Wonder, Shakira, and Usher
“America the Beautiful†performed by Beyoncé
-2013 - Barack Obamaâ€
“My Country ‘Tis of Thee†covered by Kelly Clarkson
“America the Beautiful†covered by James Taylor
The National Anthem performed by Beyoncé
Special rendition of “Girl on Fire†performed by Alicia Keys (Inaugural Ball, song dedicated to the first couple)
“Letâ€
“Whatâ€
“Alcohol†performed by Brad Paisley (Inaugural Ball)
-2017 - Toby Keith, 3 Doors Down and Lee Greenwood perform at Donald J. Trumpâ€
“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue†performed by Toby Keith
“God Bless the USA†performed by Lee Greenwood
A Medley of their hits performed by 3 Doors Down
-2020 - Confirmed to perform in honor of President-elect Joe Bidenâ€