Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, James Taylor Perform at Obama Inauguration
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John Moore/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — President Obama’s second inauguration featured three of music’s top names with performances of America’s greatest hits.
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer James Taylor was the first musician to perform during the ceremony. Bareheaded and wearing a coat, sweater, shirt and tie, James accompanied himself on acoustic guitar and sang a brief version of “America the Beautiful.”
Next up was Kelly Clarkson. Wearing a bright purple scarf, with her long blonde hair loose around her shoulders, the Grammy-winning superstar turned in a performance of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.”
Beyonce closed the show with a rendition of the national anthem. Clad in a custom black velvet cutout Pucci dress as well as big, sparkly green Lorraine Schwartz earrings, Beyonce sang a slightly slower-paced version of the song.
Billboard reports that four years ago, when Beyonce performed Etta James’ classic “At Last” at Obama’s first Inaugural Ball, her studio recording of the number, which had been released in 2008, experienced a 1,318-percent sales gain, according to Nielsen Soundscan.
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