Common and John Legend performed their Oscar-winning song “Glory” at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
Former 44th President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a star-studded event in Chicago on Thursday (June 18) to celebrate the opening of the Obama Presidential Center. The opening ceremony featured performances from many music stars, including Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder and more.
Common and John Legend electrified the audience with their brilliant performances. First, Legend sat behind the piano for a soulful rendition of “Someday We’ll Be Free” by the late Chicago singer-songwriter Donny Hathaway. The pianist then brought in Chicago’s South Side’s own public and local choir, United Voices of Chicago, to perform their 2015 Oscar-winning song “Glory” from the 2014 film “Selma.”
“The Obama Center is about glory,” Common said.
When the show ended, Common stood center stage together with John Legend, raising their fists in a show of solidarity.
The festivities concluded with an all-star lineup including Common, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Vedder, Bruce Springsteen and The Roots, who performed a brilliant “Higher Ground” with Stevie Wonder. In the middle of the show, Cornman took center stage and delivered an energetic impromptu performance that included mentions of former Presidents Joe Biden and George W. Bush by name in the audience, as well as tributes to former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the night’s guest of honor, Barack Obama.
The Obama Presidential Center officially opened on June 19. The 19-acre campus is located in the Jackson Park neighborhood of Chicago’s South Side. Currently, tickets are sold out, with more tickets not going on sale until October. For those wishing to secure tickets, please visit Obama.org to sign up to receive notifications about future ticket availability and upcoming events.
Watch Common and John Legend perform “Glory” at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center
Watch Common break out his Spirit Freestyle during a performance of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground”
