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Yesterday, the Presidential Inaugural Committee sent out a release announcing that a deal had been struck with HBO that would allow the pay cable network to broadcast exclusively an event being called the "Opening Celebration for the 56th Presidential Inaugural," a free concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial planned for Sunday, January 18. The release boasted that event will feature "some of the biggest acts in the world of entertainment." Today, WTOP reported they've heard that Bruce Springsteen is expected to headline.
Now, the key word here is "expected." Rumors were rampant that Springsteen was also "expected" to perform at Obama's acceptance speech at Invesco Field in Denver at the end of the Democratic Nation Convention last August, but the Boss never materialized (Stevie Wonder and Michael McDonald played instead). We're sure WTOP has what they think is reliable information, but when it comes to Bruce Springsteen, we don't recommend betting that he'll follow through, though of course we'd love to pleasantly surprised. Given the involvement of HBO, though, we can at least be sure that some big name act will be performing a free concert in Washington on January 18. So stay tuned. Full release from the PIC on the HBO deal after the jump.
HBO to Exclusively Televise the Celebration of America to Kick Off Inaugural Opening Festivities at the Lincoln MemorialWashington, D.C. - The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) is pleased to announce that HBO will exclusively televise the Opening Celebration for the 56th Presidential Inaugural, a celebration of America to be held on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday, January 18th. HBO will televise the event that evening on an open signal, working with all of its distributors to allow Americans across the country with access to cable or satellite television to join in the Opening Celebration for free.
The Opening Celebration will be a marquis event, featuring some of the biggest acts in the world of entertainment to celebrate our common heritage and our new direction. President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden will both attend the event, which will be free and open to the public.
"We are very excited that HBO will be televising the kick-off event for our Inaugural," said PIC Executive Director Emmett S. Beliveau. "Their proven track record as a leader in television will help ensure an event that reflects President-elect Obama's commitment to holding an inauguration that is open, accessible and reflects America's spirit of unity. The Presidential Inaugural Committee is committed to staging an Opening Celebration that reflects the best of our nation, and we are pleased that millions of people across the country will be able to share in this historic experience."
"We are honored to be broadcasting an event of this national significance featuring some of the leading talent from the music and entertainment industry," said Bill Nelson, Chairman & CEO, Home Box Office. "HBO is proud to work with all of our distributors to make this event accessible to as many citizens as possible."
Televised to the nation, the Opening Celebration will be a declaration of common purpose and new beginnings. The Sunday afternoon performance will be grounded in history and brought to life with entertainment that relates to the themes that shaped Barack Obama's campaign and which will be the hallmarks of his administration.
For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, please visit www.pic2009.org.
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Yay! I love unsubstantiated rumors! I heard a rumor that the stinking corpse of Robert Mitchum will make a suprise performance of "The Ballad of Thunder Road" and then he'll go after Gregory Peck's daughter.
I suggest an open mike night. One hour of unadulterated
rhythm and booze. The finale will be the entire mall singing the theme song from The Bodyguard.
and I..............
will always love you...........
Springsteen is not the boss of me.
can't we get someone better, like say....anyone?
Fugazi or GTFO.
Although I'll settle for an Eggs reunion.
I'm pretty sure that's marquee, not marquis. Marquis = title of french nobility.
Nice work, PIC.
The Post Inauguration Watch blog reporters describe Springsteen's appearance as "confirmed":
Link
Wow - if the overweight pimply bloggers at the Post say it's true then it must be so....
why oh why are the tastemakers in charge of this reaching out to a dying demographic?
why oh why are the tastemakers in charge of this reaching out to a dying demographic?
Because Radiohead wasn't available?
touché
Dying demographic? I didn't realize that Springsteen was an outdated fad. I guess the same sentiment goes for fans of Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, or Elvis Costello. I suppose we should just roll over and die already, and make room for the new generation of young, hip, Goph-approved tastemakers.
my thoughts exactly. as official dcist tastemaker, i decree that all stories about bruce springsteen are banned forthwith.
it is so!
We're all dyin', man, it's just a question of how quickly.
In all seriousness, it's a little bit silly to whine about Springsteen's irrelevance without offering a single alternative suggestion ... who would you suggest instead?
I vote for Batlord.
you're right, nate. how about asking someone from our president-elect's home town or state to play? there has to be an illinois/chicago based band that could fit the bill.
Is Don Ho dead?
E says it'll be the 19th...and not just the Boss
Jay-Z, Bruce, Miley Providing Inaugural Soundtrack
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b77811_jay-z_bruce_miley_providing_inaugural.html
springsteen nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Wow, maybe the bridges should be closed on the 19th too!
And by free they mean open only to Democratic donors?
Wow, that would be a fun one to try and enforce ... attendance rules for an outdoor concert with nearly unlimited access to the audience area.
The election's been over for two months now ... can we get past some of the blind partisan sniping, already?
You know, I was never much of a one for Springsteen, but then I saw him play a few years ago at Jazz Fest and he ROCKED.
I would go if they got AC/DC to play. Maybe. But not really, because I'll be in Florida that week.
HE can stay in our guest room for free.
What, no band of garage-quality shoe-gazers doing their three-hour tribute to Fugazi?