Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello perform onstage at the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert on Thursday
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images

NEW YORK — During his introduction at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night (October 29), Tom Hanks brought up a good question: "Does rock and roll need a hall of fame?" He immediately arrived at his answer. "Yes. After 50 years of rock and roll, yes." The next five hours were spent backing up Hanks' statement, with performances by Crosby, Stills and Nash, Stevie Wonder, Simon & Garfunkel and Bruce Springsteen (plus a bevy of special guests), all saluting the now-storied history of rock and roll.

Ostensibly, the theme of the night was to bring together seminal rock acts and their influences for a series of greatest hits and all-star jams (Paul Simon brought out old-school bopper Dion for a trip through "Runaround Sue," while Springsteen welcomed legendary singer and bandleader Sam Moore), but the most inspired moments from the show came when artists decided to look to the future (or at least the present) rather than salute the past. Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello joined Springsteen for a loud, thumping electric version of "The Ghost of Tom Joad" (complete with Morello's signature guitar scratching), while Wonder brought out John Legend for a trip through Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" and an extended tribute to Michael Jackson on "The Way You Make Me Feel."

Following Hanks' introduction (his production company, Playtone, was producing the show for HBO, which will air the concert on November 29), the curtain rose on Jerry Lee Lewis, the 74-year-old rock legend who sat behind a piano to pound out "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On." He was followed by the first of many montages of moments in rock history (Woodstock, Jimi Hendrix burning his guitar, Elvis Presley on "The Ed Sullivan Show") mashed up with signature moments from the 20th century (Martin Luther King, Vietnam).

Crosby, Stills and Nash ran through a workmanlike set of their own hits and covers, bringing on contemporaries Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor for a few collaborations (including a blistering run through the Allman Brothers Band's "Midnight Rider" and an all-hands-on-deck jam through "Teach Your Children"). Paul Simon's set was more straightforward: He kicked it off with "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" and didn't stray far from his jukebox full of hits for the next 45 minutes. Longtime collaborator Art Garfunkel harmonized with Simon on classics like "The Sound of Silence" and "The Boxer," and while their individual voices sounded weathered by age, the harmonies remained as sweet and haunting as ever.

Stevie Wonder overcame technical difficulties at the beginning of his set (nobody could seem to provide him with a microphone that worked) to deliver a hit-filled, star-studded performance that stole the evening. In addition to his team-up with Legend, Wonder also brought on Smokey Robinson (whose sweet croon infused "The Tracks of My Tears" with a stunning grace) and B.B. King (whose run through "The Thrill Is Gone" proved that his voice still has that perfect combination of gravel and honey, even at 84 years old). Perhaps the evening's most surreal moment came when Wonder introduced Sting, who played bass and sang with the R&B legend on an inspired mash-up of Wonder's "Higher Ground" and the Police's "Roxanne."

The night closed with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's typically epic set. Following a sweaty "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out," Springsteen just kept hitting peaks: Duets with John Fogerty and Darlene Love, a cover of the Clash's "London Calling," a surprise appearance by Billy Joel (who jammed on three songs) and a final, everybody-and-their-mother grand finale "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher." It was well after 1 a.m. by the time Springsteen bid the crowd goodnight, but the case had been made long before that: Yes, rock and roll does need a hall of fame, and the evening's performers proved that they were the reason why.

• Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert

• Bruce Springsteen
• Stevie Wonder
• Tom Morello

Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz perform at the Michael Jackson memorial service on Tuesday
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Michael Jackson was many things: an amazing dancer, singer and performer; the greatest pop star the world has ever seen; a loving friend, brother and father; a humanitarian and a complex superstar who drew the world into his embrace and provided the soundtrack to millions of lives with music that will live on forever. Michael Jackson was remembered as all of those on Tuesday afternoon (July 7) at a public memorial for the singer who died on June 25 at the age of 50.

With stirring performances from peers such as Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie; fans Usher, Mariah Carey and Jennifer Hudson; and touching reminiscences from his family and admirers, the King of Pop was memorialized in a global spectacle that the world is not likely to see again.

As the image of a sun-soaked church window filled the large screen at the arena where, just two weeks ago, Jackson was finishing up rehearsals for his planned 50-show run at the O2 Arena in London, the Andrae Crouch gospel choir sang the traditional hymn "Soon and Very soon" as the singer's gold-plated casket was brought to its resting place in a circle of light in front of the stage.

The pallbearers, including Jackson's family members, set the flower-bedecked casket down while wearing the singer's signature single sequined white glove. Applause broke out inside the Staples Center, where the mood was at turns celebratory and somber, and fans shouted "We love you, Michael!" during the pauses in the nearly three-hour long program.

Wearing a flowing black gown, Mariah Carey reprised her famous cover of the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There," joined by her longtime friend and protégé, Trey Lorenz, who sang with her on the 1992 "MTV Unplugged" performance that became a hit single for her.

Among those on hand to remember Jackson was Queen Latifah, who spoke of Jackson's power to bring people together and make them believe in themselves. She recalled buying the Jackson 5's "Dancing Machine" as a child and trying, in vain, to copy his dance moves.

	Michael Jackson's Public Memorial At Staples Center

"Michael was the biggest star on earth. He let me know that as an African-American you could travel the world ... there was a world outside America. Other people, all you people who came here to pay respect to someone you felt was one of you, a human being first," she said, her voice cracking.

Latifah then read a new verse called "We Had Him" from the great American poet Maya Angelou, whose words have stirred hearts at presidential inaugurations. "Without notice, our dear love can escape our doting embrace, sing our songs among the stars and walk our dances across the face of the moon," the poem said.

The event opened with Motown legend Smokey Robinson reading a tribute to Jackson from the singer's longtime friend and mentor, Diana Ross, and a note from former South African President Nelson Mandela as the words "In Loving Memory of Michael Jackson King of Pop 1958-2009" were beamed onto the screen behind him.

Accompanied by the gospel choir, Lionel Richie, the co-writer with Jackson of the famine-relief hit "We Are the World," looked grief-stricken at first as he sang the Commodores' spiritual "Jesus Is Love," his powerful voice rising to a crescendo at the end. Next, Motown founder Berry Gordy took the stage to honor Jackson, who he said was like a son to him. "He raised the bar and then broke the bar," Gordy said.

Praising Jackson's great vocal gifts, Gordy spoke of how Michael made history when he took the stage at the Motown 25th anniversary show in 1983 and set the world on fire with the unveiling of his iconic moonwalk step. "Michael Jackson went into orbit and never came down," Gordy said, calling him not just the King of Pop, but the "greatest entertainer that ever lived," a line that drew a huge roar from the crowd.

Los Angeles Laker All-Star Kobe Bryant honored Jackson's charitable acts. Fellow Lakers legend Magic Johnson said he became a greater basketball player by watching the singer's moves onstage and fondly remembered being asked to appear in Jackson's 1992 video for "Remember the Time."

An avowed fan and artist heavily influenced by Jackson, Usher provided an emotional take on "Gone Too Soon," passionately singing the 1993 Jackson single with gritty abandon as he laid his hand on the singer's casket and walked mournfully across the sea of flowers at the foot of the stage while a montage of vintage pictures of a smiling Jackson played behind him. Breaking down in tears at the end, the singer removed his sunglasses, was embraced by the entire Jackson family and made his way to family matriarch Katherine, kneeling down on one knee to kiss her.

Another fellow Motown peer and onetime child star Stevie Wonder said, "This is a moment that I wished that I didn't live to see come." Sitting at a piano and singing his mournfully appropriate 1971 ballad "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer," he pleaded, "Michael, why didn't you stay?" midsong before segueing into another ballad, 1974's "They Won't Go When I Go."

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, visibly pregnant with her first child, also brought down the house with a funky, syncopated cover of Jackson's 1993 single "Will You Be There," from the "Free Willy" soundtrack and Dangerous album. As a group of dancers formed a circle around her, Hudson paused while Jackson's shaky voiceover from the original boomed out over a dramatic background, pleading, "In our darkest hour/ In my deepest despair/ Will you still care?/ Will you be there?"

In one of the day's most moving tributes, longtime friend and former child star Brooke Shields was in tears remembering the many photo captions over the years that referred to their friendship as "odd."

For the two of them, she said, "It was the most natural and easiest of friendships. ... We had a bond and maybe it was because we both understood what it was like to be in the spotlight from a very, very young age. I used to tease him and say, 'You know I started when I was 11 months old, you're a slacker ... you were, what, 5?'"

They never performed together — although she said he tried to teach her the moonwalk once — but what they did together, she said smiling, was laugh. "His laugh was the sweetest and purest laugh of anyone's I had ever known," Shields recalled.

Still wearing his single white glove, brother Jermaine Jackson then sang a tender version of his brother's favorite song, the Charlie Chaplin-penned "Smile," from the classic film "Modern Times."

It was not hard to see why Jackson, whose life was filled with so much joy mixed with utter sadness, embraced the tender ballad, which he covered on his 1995 HIStory album. "Smile though your heart is aching/ Smile even though it's breaking/ When there are clouds in the sky/ You'll get by," Jermaine sang in his keening falsetto, summing up his brother's eternal quest to push aside his sadness by trying to bring some joy to the world.

Also rousing the crowd was longtime family friend the Reverend Al Sharpton, who repeated the fiery refrain, "Michael never stopped," when talking about Jackson's many accomplishments and resiliency in the face of his many obstacles. "Because he didn't accept limitations, because he refused to let people decide his boundaries, he opened up the whole world," Sharpton thundered. "He put on one glove, pulled his pants up and broke down the color curtain. ... It was Michael Jackson that brought blacks and whites and Asians and Latinos together. It was Michael Jackson that made us sing, 'We Are the World' and feed the hungry."

Speaking to Jackson's three young children, Sharpton said pointedly, "I want his three children to know, wasn't nothin' strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with, but he dealt with it," as the audience rose to their feet and the singer's sons and daughter burst into applause alongside their friends and family.

Other performers included "Britain's Got Talent" sensation Shaheen Jafargholi, reprising his take on "Who's Loving You." Kenny Ortega ("High School Musical"), who was directing Jackson's This Is It stage show, presented what he said was one of the singer's favorite moments from the show that Ortega promised would have been a triumphant comeback.

The performance of "We Are the World" by the members of Jackson's multicultural backing band was accompanied by the lyrics to the song projected, with many letters replaced by the religious icons of the world's faiths. The singers were joined by the day's other performers as well as Jackson's family, including the singer's children, and, finally, a choir of teens who sang along to the peace anthem "Heal the World."

John Mayer, who played the iconic guitar solo on Fall Out Boy's 2008 cover of Jackson's "Beat It," got the audience clapping in time to an instrumental take on "Human Nature," teasing out the song's jazzy tones with an understated performance that featured spare vocals from Jackson's backup singers.

For one day, at least, the focus turned back to Jackson's music.

Earlier in the day, Jackson's family held a private ceremony at the Forest Lawn Cemetery. A motorcade then brought Jackson's casket to the Staples Center, where it took center stage during Tuesday's celebration.

In addition to the 17,000 fans who gathered inside the Staples Center and in a viewing area next door at the Nokia Theater, the global audience for the Jackson memorial was predicted to be more than a billion.

As Jackson was the first celebrity of his magnitude to die in the modern media era, the memorial was covered like no other event in history. Fans and hundreds of international news outlets tweeted and live-blogged the proceedings in real time, bringing the world together in a way that would likely have brought joy to Jackson, whose many charitable efforts were aimed at bridging racial, ethnic and spiritual divides with songs such as "Earth Song."

The day ended with Jackson's brothers paying tribute to their sibling alongside Jackson's daughter, Paris, 11, who tearfully said, "Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him so much," collapsing in sobs into aunt Janet Jackson's arms as the ceremony came to a close and the singer's casket was wheeled back out of the Staples Center to the strains of the song that has become his theme in death, "Man in the Mirror."

In all, it was a fittingly regal sendoff for the King of Pop.

For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

• Michael Jackson: The Memorial
• Michael Jackson's Life & Legacy

• Michael Jackson's Public Memorial At Staples Center
• Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos
• Fans Outside Michael Jackson's Public Memorial

• Michael Jackson
• Jennifer Hudson
• Mariah Carey
• Usher
• Lionel Richie

Stevie Wonder performs onstage at the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at Staples Center on Tuesday in Los Angeles, California
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

At Michael Jackson's public memorial on Tuesday, many may have expected Stevie Wonder to perform one of Michael Jackson's — or his own — many global hits. But instead, Wonder opted for a medley of two of his lesser-known classics that are lyrically relevant to Jackson's sudden passing earlier this month: 1971's "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer" and 1974's "They Won't Go When I Go."

Before performing, Wonder addressed the crowd:

"This is a moment that I wished to never see come. But as much as I can say that, and mean it, I do know that God is good, and I don know that as much as we feel — and we do — that we need Michael here with us, God must have needed him far more. Michael, I love you and I told you that many times, so I'm at peace with that."

"Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer," from Wonder's Where I'm Coming From album, was co-written with Wonder's then-wife Syreeta Wright and uses the seasons to address a failed relationship. But on Tuesday, Wonder added his friend's name to the lyric to alter the meaning: "Michael, why didn't you stay?"

Wonder then segued into the angry, stately "They Won't Go When I Go," from 1974's Fulfillingness' First Finale, the lyrics of which could be interpreted to convey a message about Jackson's death:

"No more lying friends, wanting tragic ends / Though they do pretend, they won't go when I go/ All those bleeding hearts, with sorrows to impart/ Were right here from the start, and they won't go when I go ... When I go, where I'll go/ No one can keep me from my destiny."

For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

• Michael Jackson's Life & Legacy
• Michael Jackson: The Memorial

• Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos
• Michael Jackson's Public Memorial At Staples Center

• Stevie Wonder
• Michael Jackson

Mariah Carey
Photo: Dave Hogan/Getty Images

The public memorial service for Michael Jackson at Los Angeles' Staples Center on Tuesday will feature some of the late singer's closest collaborators, friends and fans paying tribute to the King of Pop. Among the stars expected to appear (and possibly perform) at the public event — which will take place after a private memorial earlier in the morning — are Jennifer Hudson, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Usher, John Mayer, Lionel Richie and Motown founder Berry Gordy, according to a statement from a spokesperson for the Jackson family.

The list does not specify which of the attendees will perform, but Carey is reportedly slated to reprise her famous cover of the Jackson song "I'll Be There" at the public ceremony and CNN has reported that Oscar-winning actress/singer Hudson will also sing at the event. Wonder was a contemporary of Jackson's on the Motown label in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Usher has often stated how influential Jackson was on his career, and Mayer performed the iconic guitar solo in "Beat It" on Fall Out Boy's 2008 cover of the song.

	Usher, Mariah Carey, More To Appear At Jackson Memorial

Among the other confirmed participants in the tribute to Jackson are Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, "Britain's Got Talent" finalist Shaheen Jafargholi — who toured as a young MJ in the "Thriller Live" show and sang the Jackson 5 cover version of "Who's Loving You" on the "BGT" show to great acclaim — the Andrae Crouch Choir, Lakers icon Magic Johnson, Martin Luther King III, Motown legend Smokey Robinson, Jackson family friend the Reverend Al Sharpton and Jackson's longtime pal, Brooke Shields. The statement said the lineup was preliminary and subject to change, but noted that no further information will be released regarding the program before Tuesday's event.

Though she will not appear at the Los Angeles event, Madonna paid tribute to Jackson during one of her shows at the O2 Arena in London over the weekend — where Jackson was slated to kick off a 50-show run on July 13 — with one of her dancers interpreting some of the King of Pop's most famous dance moves to a medley of "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Something."

While those events are unfolding in Jackson's adopted home of Los Angeles, a memorial service in the singer's hometown of Gary, Indiana, is also taking shape. The Gary Post-Tribune reported that Mayor Rudy Clay has announced that another Gary-born singer, Deniece Williams, best known for her 1984 "Footloose" hit "Let's Hear It for the Boy," will be among the performers at a Friday memorial at the U.S. Steel Yard baseball stadium.

Other plans for the event include a performance from Indiana's first black Miss Indiana, Kellee Patterson, who kept in touch with Jackson after both left the city, and a 500-member choir singing "We Are the World."

MTV's live coverage of the Michael Jackson public memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles will begin on Tuesday at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT.

For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

• Remembering Michael Jackson
• The BET Awards Honor Michael Jackson
• Today's Stars Remember Michael Jackson

• Mariah Carey, Usher, More Stars Scheduled To Appear At Michael Jackson's Memorial
• Michael Jackson: A Fashion Icon
• Fans Mourn The Loss Of Music Icon Michael Jackson

• Mariah Carey
• Stevie Wonder
• Jennifer Hudson
• Usher

Michael Jackson in Thailand, 1996
Photo: VH1

While in Thailand in 1996, Michael Jackson sat down to answer some of his fans' most pressing questions, including whether "Billie Jean" is based on a real person and if Jackson has ever felt nervous onstage. Jackson — who was candid, good-natured and relaxed during the interview — opened up about his childhood, his music and even what he would do if given the chance to have a day off from fame.

"There is a girl named Billie Jean, but it's not about that Billie Jean," he said when asked about the inspiration behind his 1983 hit single. "Billie Jean is kind of anonymous. It represents a lot of girls. They used to call them groupies in the '60s. They would hang around backstage doors, and any band that would come to town they would have a relationship with, and I think I wrote this out of experience with my brothers when I was little. There were a lot of Billie Jeans out there. Every girl claimed that their son was related to one of my brothers."

Jackson admitted that it is interviews that make him more nervous than actually going onstage and performing. The usually shy singer put his guard up a bit during this particular question, seeming unable to fully explain how uncomfortable he feels about being interviewed.

"I don't remember ever being afraid to go onstage. I'm more comfortable onstage than giving this interview right now," he said. "In truth, I really don't like being interviewed. I swear to God, I feel it's such an intrusion. Every interview I've ever done, I've been forced into it."

Jackson, who was probably one of the most recognizable celebrities in the world before his death last month, admits that even if he could hide and get a day off, he'd just spend it working. "[I'd] probably [go] to Neverland or an island isolated somewhere," he said. "What would I do? Probably write music or create some music or stage play or something. Something creative. I never stop working."

As a child working with his brothers in the Jackson 5, he had the chance to work with everyone from his good friend Diana Ross to Marvin Gaye. And, in this 1996 interview, he said the environment on the Motown label "was very friendly" and recalled some of his favorite memories from that period in his life.

"Marvin Gaye used to come to my house at least twice a week to play basketball with my brothers," he recalled. "Stevie Wonder would come by for gatherings and parties. I would go to the Supremes' house with Diana Ross when she would invite the other girls over, and there was really, sincerely one happy family. We would have a baseball team where we'd played against one another. And I was just really little, and they'd let me bat, and it was really a happy family. And I do miss all of them. Even the Temptations would come over to my house all the time."

MTV's live coverage of the Michael Jackson public memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles will begin on Tuesday at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT.

For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

• Michael Jackson In His Own Words: Fan Questions

• Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos
• Michael Jackson Fans Gather At Staples Center Memorial In L.A.
• Fans Mourn The Loss Of Music Icon Michael Jackson

• Michael Jackson
• Marvin Gaye
• Stevie Wonder
• Diana Ross

The Jonas Brothers
Photo: MTV News

Sure, the Jonas Brothers may have scored Stevie Wonder for their big Grammy night performance, but the guys actually wanted to work with the legendary singer long before. They really wanted to get him on the bill for their movie, "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience."

"We were thinking Stevie Wonder would have been amazing," Nick told MTV News while en route from New York to North Carolina on their Theater Invasion tour of multiplexes showing their movie. "But then we had the opportunity to perform with him at the Grammys. We're so happy it happened somewhere else."

While the JoBros may have wanted to see the R&B icon in 3-D, their own fans were probably pretty content to see the boys, as well as guests Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato, on the big screen.

The movie gave the guys a chance to sit back and watch themselves in concert. "You find yourself critiquing yourself a little bit when you're onstage and watching it back," Joe said, but despite his critique, he added, "We have a great time up there, and we can't wait to get back on tour."

The brothers are quick to point out that their movie was inspired by films made by bands from across the pond. "[The Beatles'] 'A Hard Day's Night' is definitely a movie that inspired me a little bit," Nick said. "Not only the musical pieces in that, but also the humor. We tried our best to pay tribute to it. We're also big fans of the Oasis DVD."

After this experience, the Jonas Brothers seem to be ready to do a second movie, if someone offers. "We haven't thought about it," Joe said. "We hope to do another one. That'd be really fun. We had a great time doing this. Thinking about it now, it would probably be a lot like this one."

• MTV Rough Cut: Jonas Brothers
• The Jonas Brothers' Theater Invasion Tour

• Jonas Brothers Premiere "The 3D Concert Experience"
• "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience"

• Jonas Brothers
• Stevie Wonder

Photo: Justin Sullivan/ Getty Images

Beyoncé brought down the house Sunday afternoon (January 18) as she closed out the "We Are One" inauguration celebration with a soaring version of "America the Beautiful."

The singer, who donned a brown winter coat and leather gloves, was backed by a massive choir, with members alternately wearing red and blue jackets to symbolize the unity between political parties during this historic moment.

The gesture wasn't lost on anyone.

The concert's previous performers reappeared onstage with Beyoncé in an awe-inspiring sign of inclusion. Rocker Bruce Springsteen and rapper Will.I.Am joined Samuel L. Jackson, Queen Latifah, Tom Hanks and others. Stevie Wonder also took part in the festivities, playing harmonica during the song's bridge.

President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, incoming first lady Michelle Obama, were seated just before the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. As Beyoncé belted out the patriotic number from the stairs of the iconic monument, the Obamas also sang along. Seated nearby were Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, who joined in as well.

Comedian George Lopez and U2's Bono were also spotted onstage during the commencing performance.

"We are one," Beyoncé shouted as she wrapped the song.

Other notable appearances during the afternoon included actors Jack Black, Steve Carell and Jamie Foxx. Garth Brooks, Usher and Mary J. Blige also performed. Denzel Washington opened the celebration with a speech.

"Be the Change: Live From the Inaugural" will air live on MTV on Tuesday, January 20, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. MTV News will have wall-to-wall coverage of the event and of the scenes in Washington, D.C., New Orleans and Kenya in the days leading up to the event and in the days that follow.

• 'We Are One' Inaugural Concert: Highlights

• Beyonce, U2, Usher, More Perform At "We Are One" Inaugural Concert

• Beyoncé
• U2
• Stevie Wonder
• Will.I.Am
• Bruce Springsteen

Photo: Justin Sullivan/ Getty Images

• Stevie Wonder
• U2
• Beyoncé
• Bruce Springsteen

Stevie Wonder performs onstage at the BET Honors earlier that evening.
Photo: Michael Tran/ FilmMagic

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Call on none other than Stevie Wonder to set off this party. What? Stevie Wonder in a club known for its heavy hip-hop fanbase? The same club that Jay-Z ripped down the night before? Anything can happen during Barack Obama's inauguration weekend in Washington, D.C.

Wonder was one of the stars at D.C. hotspot Love on Saturday night for Diddy's afterparty for the BET Honors, which also doubled as an inaugural celebration. (Look back at Diddy's 2004 interview with Obama for MTV News here.)

Before Diddy even got into the building, Wonder amazed the crowd — amazed, as in people were in awe; amazed, as in you could see nothing but camera phones held in the air when Wonder took the mic. It was a moment you have to tell the elders in your family about the next day, or shame on you.

At first, people didn't believe Stevie was there. The MC of the night introduced him, but you couldn't see him. The DJ played just a few seconds of the Grammy winner's "Overjoyed," then switched to Soulja Boy's "Donk." Are you serious? Is Stevie really here? Hear for yourself. Wonder walked to the front of the stage on Love's second floor (the huge venue has four floors of partying) and reminded everyone that yes, we are celebrating Barack Obama, but we should also reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Wonder proudly reminded everyone that on January 15, 1981, in D.C., the seeds were planted for making MLK's birthday a national holiday.

"We did it!" Wonder boasted about the holiday becoming reality. Then, as if he were your favorite MC, Wonder talked to the DJ and demanded music.

"Gimme a beat, gimme a beat!" he ordered. The DJ played the Stevie Wonder version of "Happy Birthday," and Wonder began singing.

After Wonder sat to soak up the scene, the night's MC treated him like one of the homie. "You with me, Stevie?" the MC asked, before the DJ played Jay-Z's "Show Me What You Got."

Diddy's time on the mic was brief. He arrived just before 2 a.m. and immediately hyped the Obama inauguration ceremony.

"Y'all ready for what's gonna happen Tuesday? My president is black, baby!" The DJ followed with a Bad Boy set of vintage Diddy and music from the Notorious B.I.G.

Washington Wizard basketball player Antwan Jamison, video vixen Angel Lola Love, actress Gabrielle Union and Will I Am were among the celebs in the building.

On Friday night, Jay-Z had Love locked down. In addition to having the DJ spin a gaggle of Hov's greatest hits, the Jiggaman even took the mic and rapped. Club Love owner Marc Barnes, partner Taz Wube and their TeamBBC will be rocking the inauguration for the rest of the weekend. T.I., Young Jeezy and Akon are scheduled to perform on Sunday; Common comes by on Monday; and on Tuesday, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, Biz Markie and Kid Capri will round out the celebration.

"Be the Change: Live From the Inaugural" will air live on MTV on Tuesday, January 20, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. MTV News will have wall-to-wall coverage of the event and of the scenes in Washington, D.C., New Orleans and Kenya in the days leading up to the event and in the days that follow.

• 2009 Inauguration Week Events Celebrating Barack Obama

• Stevie Wonder
• Diddy
• Jay-Z
• Soulja Boy Tell'em

Beyoncé
Photo: Bob Levey/ WireImage

What kind of event could get U2, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Bruce Springsteen, Usher, Will.I.Am, John Mellencamp, Shakira, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow and Josh Groban to share a stage? A massive charity concert? A glitzy awards show? No, try the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Those celebrities and a ton of others have signed up to perform at "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial," the first of many official events sponsored by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. According to The Washington Post, the 90-minute concert will begin on Sunday at 2 p.m., and HBO will air it for free (for all cable and satellite subscribers) that night at 7 p.m.

Details are still being finalized, but the theme of the show will be Obama's place in history among other presidents who've led the country in difficult times. Many of the artists will cover songs that have historical resonance or connect with the theme of the day. "It's not a celebration of victory; it's about the country coming together for the future we're going to face," executive producer George Stevens Jr. said on Monday, according to the Hollywood Reporter. "There's a sense of history about it. Much of the music will be in the context of that history. The Lincoln Memorial is a kind of sacred site."

The site of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech will be filled with a variety of sounds during the show, including the music of Herbie Hancock, John Legend, Heather Headley and Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, as well as historical passages read by Denzel Washington, Queen Latifah, Jamie Foxx and Martin Luther King III. Each artist will perform one song, with a number of duets or trios, often of songs the singers have never performed in public before.

Obama, Vice President-elect Joe Biden and their families will attend the concert, and Obama will appear onstage.

"Be the Change: Live From the Inaugural" will air live on MTV on Tuesday, January 20, at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT. MTV News will have wall-to-wall coverage of the event and of the scenes in Washington, D.C., New Orleans and Kenya in the days leading up to the event and in the days that follow.

• Beyoncé
• U2
• Mary J. Blige
• Usher
• Will.I.Am

Mariah Carey, Usher, More Stars Scheduled To Appear At Michael Jackson's Memorial

• Usher
• Mariah Carey
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• Stevie Wonder
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