A Look Back at 13 Memorable Presidential Inauguration Performances

1961 inauguration for John F. Kennedy

The Frank Sinatra–produced inaugural gala for John F. Kennedy featured an impressive roster of talent that included Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and Gene Kelly. But the enduring moment of the year’s events came when Robert Frost, the first poet invited to partake in an inaugural event, attempted to read an original piece. Unable to make out the words amid the glare of the sun, the 86-year-old instead began reciting his Depression-era ode to American exceptionalism, “The Gift Outright.” It was an effort that encapsulated both the thrills and dangers of live performing, with Frost’s stumble and improvisation to right the ship providing some extra heart-pumping juice to the otherwise formal proceedings.

1969 All-American Gala for Richard Nixon

Twelve years after Anderson broke ground with her pitch-perfect national anthem, James Brown took inaugural race relations to the next level during the All-American Gala at D.C.’s National Guard Armory. It was a night that reflected both the accomplishments of the civil rights battles and the work still to be done, as President-elect Richard Nixon was kept from attending due to security concerns. Brown nevertheless ignited the audience with his patented theatrics as the Godfather of Soul sang “Say It Loud—I’m Black and I’m Proud.”

1977 inaugural concert for Jimmy Carter

Although she had campaigned for her Democratic candidate boyfriend Jerry Brown and subsequently swore off public political involvement, Linda Ronstadt agreed to sing at the 1977 inaugural concert for Jimmy Carter. Her choice of the Willie Nelson–penned “Crazy” seems a little odd in hindsight, even when considering that it was her most recent single, but Ronstadt ultimately delivered a mesmerizing version of the sultry classic, overcoming her nerves-induced shakiness at the beginning to again demonstrate the built-in unpredictability that comes with the assignment to entertain an entire country.

Keep Reading: How the Hit Song “Crazy” Took Over Jukeboxes

1993 inaugural gala for Bill Clinton

For all the musical heavyweights that took part in Bill Clinton’s festivities—including Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, and a reunited Fleetwood Mac—the standout performance came when Chuck Berry zipped through a medley of hits at the inaugural gala alongside a group that included fellow rock pioneer Little Richard and Stephen Stills. Unlike other all-star assemblages that can produce stilted and awkward results, this one caught fire, with the audience clapping and laughing along to altered lyrics like “We wanted change and we got much more—Bill Clinton, Hillary, and big Al Gore!”

2009 inauguration for Barack Obama

A veteran of inaugural events for Carter and Clinton, Aretha Franklin saved her defining presidential performance for Barack Obama’s arrival when she belted out “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” at the 2009 inauguration. Franklin later bemoaned her vocal struggles in the frigid weather, telling Larry King that “Mother Nature was not very kind to me.” Still, the Queen of Soul managed to slay the crowd on a self-proclaimed off day, her showing rendered iconic with a little help from her felt hat and its giant, rhinestone-lined bow.

Keep Reading: The Powerful Meaning Behind Aretha Franklin’s Equality Anthem “Respect”

2009 Neighborhood Ball for Barack Obama

There’s no forgetting the time a beaming Beyoncé sang the Etta James standard “At Last” as Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama eased their way through a slow dance at the 2009 Neighborhood Ball. While the political honeymoon would soon come to an end, the dance marked the culmination of a centuries-long struggle, a Black man celebrating his historic rise to the American presidency. “I’m so proud of my country,” Beyoncé said afterward, fighting back tears. “At last he’s here, and it was all worth it.”

2021 inauguration for Joe Biden

At only 22 years old, Amanda Gorman became the youngest poet to perform during an inauguration by reciting her original composition, “The Hill We Climb.” However, Gorman, named the National Youth Poet Laureate in 2017, had only finished half of the piece with two weeks remaining before the reading. “I had this huge thing, probably one of the most important things I’ll ever do in my career,” she said. “It was like, if I try to climb this mountain all at once, I’m just going to pass out.” Gorman finished in plenty of time and helped usher in Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the 46^th president and vice president, respectively.