Organizers of Donald Trump’s 2017 inauguration celebration wanted Canadian chanteuse Céline Dion to perform, according to a new book by a former advisor to Melania Trump.
Also on the wish list of performers were The Killers, KISS, Aerosmith, Meat Loaf, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Mavis Staples, Pat Benatar, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Instead, Trump celebrated the start of his presidency with alt-rock band 3 Doors Down, country singers Toby Keith and Lee Greenwood and AGT finalist Jackie Evancho. (A Bruce Springsteen tribute band pulled out of the event out of “respect and gratitude to Bruce.”)
In Melania & Me, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff writes about trying to book two or three of the acts on the list. She recalled having to tell Melania: “We don’t have any A-list performers locked in, or B-list for that matter.”
Melania & Me is set for release on Sept. 1.
Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration bash featured performances by stars like Beyoncé, Garth Brooks, John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Shakira, U2, Usher and Stevie Wonder.
Earlier this month, Canadian-born singer Neil Young sued the Trump campaign to stop the use of his songs at events. The Rolling Stones, The Village People's Victor Willis and the estate of Tom Petty have all voiced objections to the Trump campaign using their songs.
Prior to the November 2016 U.S. election, a long list of music stars took to social media to share their distaste for Trump.