Beyonce to sing national anthem at Obama inauguration
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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Pop diva Beyonce will sing the national anthem before hundreds of thousands of onlookers at United States (US) President Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony on Jan 21, organisers said on Wednesday.
On a stage specially constructed for the event at the foot of the Capitol, the singer - a long-time supporter of Obama - will belt out The Star-Spangled Banner before Mr Obama's cabinet, lawmakers and the public.
Chart-topping pop singer Kelly Clarkson, the first winner of American Idol, and veteran singer-songwriter James Taylor will also perform at the ceremony to mark the start of Mr Obama's second term.
At Mr Obama's first inauguration in 2009, soul legend Aretha Franklin gave a stirring rendition of another US patriotic song, My Country Tis of Thee. This time around, Clarkson will perform it.
