The Best Kennedy Center Honors Performances of the Obama Presidency

It is hard to believe that tonight will be the final time that Barack and Michelle Obama will be sitting in the Presidents’ Box with the honorees.

Before the President of the United States and the First Lady sit with this year’s honorees: James Taylor, Mavis Staples, Al Pacino, the Eagles, and Martha Argerich, for one final time in the Kennedy Center skybox, Jake’s Take celebrates some of the best performances from the Obama Era of the Kennedy Center Honors.

#15: Earth, Wind & Fire- “Love & Happiness” (Rev. Al Green, 2014)

In 2014, Earth, Wind & Fire brought their legendary sound to the Kennedy Center stage to honor Reverend Al Green. While their performance was shorter than the others, it ignited the crowd and set the tone for the evening. It was also the last time that the R&B/Soul band performed with their late front man and band creator, Maurice White, on Washington’s iconic stage.

#14: Smokey Robinson- “Sweet Caroline” (Neil Diamond, 2011)

2006 Kennedy Center Honoree Smokey Robinson concluded Mr. Diamond’s tribute with a rousing rendition of the Brooklyn singer-songwriter’s signature anthem. Accompanying him was a chorus of Boston Red Sox fans and Wally the Green Monster. Even the subject of the iconic song, longtime Kennedy Center Honors host Caroline Kennedy, joined in the fun.

#13: Melissa Etheridge- “Born to Run” (Bruce Springsteen, 2009)

My fellow Kansan, Melissa Etheridge, delivers fiery performances whenever she takes the Kennedy Center stage. When the rocker’s longtime friend, Bruce Springsteen, was awarded the Kennedy Center Honor, Etheridge paid homage with a powerful cover of The Boss’ signature songs: “Born to Run.”

#12: James Taylor, Mavis Staples, & Steven Tyler- “Let It Be”/”Hey Jude” (Sir Paul McCartney, 2010)

The finale of Sir Paul McCartney’s tribute featured artists that represented many generations of music. James Taylor and Mavis Staples led the charge when they performed a duet of “Let It Be” and were joined by Steven Tyler for a rousing cover of “Hey Jude” that featured all of the artists and a massive choir.

 

#11: Lady Gaga- “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You” (Sting, 2014)

Mother Monster honored one of her musical heroes at the Kennedy Center Honors. She transformed Sting’s 1993 Grammy-nominated song into a powerful anthem that shook the Kennedy Center opera house and made Sting weep.

#10: Ben Harper & Jennifer Nettles- “I’m On Fire” (Bruce Springsteen, 2009)

Rock and country collided when Ben Harper and Jennifer Nettles performed The Boss’ 1984 hit single from his Born in the U.S.A. album. Their vocals blended beautifully together, and this was a tender interpretation that many fans wished was recorded. Hopefully, the duo will revisit this song in the future.

#9: Sam Moore & Mavis Staples- “Take Me to the River” (Rev. Al Green, 2014)

Two music legends came together to pay homage to one of the best soul singers of all-time. While they have shared the stage with Earth, Wind, & Fire, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, and Whoopi Goldberg, both Ms. Staples & Mr. Moore’s vocal performance proved that legends never die with their duet and delivered one of the best performances from the 2014 show.

 

#8: Steven Tyler- “Abbey Road Medley” (Sir Paul McCartney, 2010)

The Aerosmith front man and recently named American Idol judge stole the legendary Beatle’s tribute with an astonishing medley of the entire second half of Abbey Road. While he did not dazzle with the piano or a guitar, Mr. Tyler’s excellent showmanship and vocal ability commanded the Kennedy Center stage and was one of the only performers from the “Live and Let Die” singer’s tribute to receive a standing ovation.

#7: Jennifer Nettles- “Hello Again” (Neil Diamond, 2011)

Jennifer Nettles is one of country music’s bombastic vocalists, so I was a little hesitant when I heard that she was covering Neil Diamond’s iconic ballad: “Hello Again.” The former Sugarland frontwoman soared when she showcased a softer tone of her vocal range on The Jazz Singer’s love song.

#6: Jennifer Hudson- “I’m Here” (Oprah Winfrey, 2010)

While I was a little surprised that Fantasia was not asked to perform this song from The Color Purple musical at Oprah’s tribute, her fellow American Idol participant, and Oscar-winning performer Jennifer Hudson delivered an astonishing cover of the tune when the Kennedy Center honored Oprah. Ms. Hudson and the Tennessee State University Choir tore the roof off of the place and delivered a perfect homage to the media mogul.

 

#5: Sting- “The Rising” (Bruce Springsteen, 2009)

The last performance from the 2009 Bruce Springsteen tribute to be featured in this countdown is Sting’s cover of the Boss’ most inspiring tracks in his songbook: “The Rising.” The viewer could have felt the magic as soon as the gospel choir joined Sting on the song’s powerful chorus. This performance moved the Boss to near tears, and it was unbelievable to see President Obama rock out.

 

#4: Heart’s Ann & Nancy Wilson + Jason Bonham- “Stairway to Heaven” (Led Zeppelin, 2012)

I was ecstatic to learn that Led Zeppelin would be the second band to receive the Kennedy Center Honors. When I asked my dad if they would include “Stairway to Heaven” in their performance, my father stated: “Jacob, it is a challenging and long song to perform, they are not going to do it.” Ann and Nancy Wilson and Jason Bonham proved him wrong as they delivered a spectacular cover to one of Led Zeppelin’s iconic anthems, which remains one of the best hard rock performances in Kennedy Center Honors history.

#3: Billy Joel Tribute (Billy Joel, 2013)

There are only a few times that I cried during a Kennedy Center Honors tribute. One of those times was when one of my all-time favorite musical heroes, Billy Joel, finally received the honor in 2013. After an excellent tribute from fellow music legend Tony Bennett, several generations of musicians paid homage to the American Piano Man. Panic! At the Disco’s Brendan Urie kicked off with an energetic “Big Shot,” while Don Henley sang a tender “She’s Got A Way.” However, the waterworks got to me when Garth Brooks performed “Allentown” and when Vietnam War veterans joined him on stage for “Goodnight Saigon.” As the audience gave the veterans a standing ovation they richly deserved, Rufus Wainwright closed the night out with “New York State of Mind” and was joined by a chorus for “Piano Man.”

#2: Yo-Yo Ma Tribute (Yo-Yo Ma, 2011)

While I enjoy the tributes to my favorite actors, musicians, and performers, I always tend to get bored with classical music tributes. That was not the case when Yo-Yo Ma was honored five years ago. After a light-hearted introduction from Elmo, the audience entered “Yo-Yo Ma’s Musical Playground.” While Mr. Ma is primarily known as a classical artist, the audience learned how many genres of his music that he supported throughout his career. After the Goat Radio session musicians and the Silk Road Ensemble performed brief pieces of music, 2004 Kennedy Center Honoree John Williams united them and this year’s honoree, James Taylor, for a special rendition of the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun,” a song that Ma recorded with the “You’ve Got A Friend” singer-songwriter for his 2008 album: Songs for Joy & Peace.

 

#1: Aretha Franklin- “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman” (Carole King, 2015)

Our countdown concludes with one of the greatest singers of all-time: the one and only, Queen of Soul—Ms. Aretha Franklin. For the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors finale, the 1994 recipient paid homage to the woman who wrote one of her signature songs: Ms. Carole King. In all my years of watching the Kennedy Center Honors, I have never seen both an honoree and a sitting President go wild from the balcony.  Both Ms. King and President Obama were incredibly moved by Ms. Franklin’s outstanding performance, and the Queen of Soul proved that no matter who currently rules the music charts, she will always go down as one of the most prominent artists who influenced both American culture and music.

I do not own any of the clips that are sprinkled in the post. They belong to CBS & The Kennedy Center.