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Aretha, Rick Warren on Tap for Inauguration Day

John Williams will compose new music for Obama's landmark occasion

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 17, 2008 3:47 PM CST

(Newser) – Aretha Franklin will participate in Barack Obama’s inauguration next month, the New York Times reports, with the Queen of Soul hitting the stage after evangelical leader Rick Warren gives the invocation. Obama has also commissioned composer John Williams to write a new piece of music for the ceremony—to be performed by a star-studded quartet featuring Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman.

President-elect Barack Obama speaks during a news conference in Chicago today.
President-elect Barack Obama speaks during a news conference in Chicago today.   (AP Photo)
Aretha Franklin will sing just before Joe Biden is sworn in as Vice-President.
Aretha Franklin will sing just before Joe Biden is sworn in as Vice-President.   (AP Photo)
Rick Warren, the pastor who hosted Barack Obama and John McCain at his Southern California church in August for discussions on faith, will deliver the invocation at next month's inauguration.
Rick Warren, the pastor who hosted Barack Obama and John McCain at his Southern California church in August for discussions on faith, will deliver the invocation at next month's inauguration.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
dolcevita
Dec 18, 2008 6:57 AM CST
Just hoping he spares us by not indulging Beyonce's ego and resisting her offer to perform. Give it a rest Beyonce. Can't wait to hear Aretha!
Zebraone
Dec 17, 2008 4:31 AM CST
Gets blacker and blacker on the horizon!!
 

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