Dylan, Baez, Mellencamp’s White House Special Airs Thursday

American Songwriter participates in affiliate programs with various companies. Links originating on American Songwriter’s website that lead to purchases or reservations on affiliate sites generate revenue for American Songwriter . This means that American Songwriter may earn a commission if/when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links.

Thursday night, PBS will air “In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement,” featuring musical performances from Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, John Mellencamp, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and more.

Videos by American Songwriter

The concert, originally slated for Wednesday, was held Tuesday due to the approaching snow storm. Bob Dylan got to sing the lyrics to “The Times They Are A Changin’” (“Come senators, congressmen, please heed the call/Don’t stand in the doorway, don’t block up the hall”) in the White House’s East Hall, with President Obama watching on. John Mellencamp performed “Eyes On The Prize,” Natalie Cole channeled Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” and Smokey Robinson sang the civil rights ballad “Abraham, Martin and John.” Joan Baez lead the House in a singalong of “We Shall Overcome.”

Read The New York Times’ report of the concert here, and check your local listings to view the program.

Log In