Rock Around the Clock

Mixing populism and celebrity, Clinton dances into office with a weeklong party full of star turns, saxophone riffs and presidential hugs

Jack Nicholson read the words of Abraham Lincoln. Aretha Franklin, a natural woman in a natural fur, sang a hymn to single motherhood from Les Miserables. Kermit the Frog sent Gonzo the Great searching for the White House. Barbra Streisand performed a knockout set and gave her benediction to the party's Arkansas hosts. Warren Beatty, recently married, spoke of political honeymoons. En Vogue and Boys II Men showed that a cappella renditions of The Star-Spangled Banner could have art and soul. Michael Jackson led a chorus of glamourati in We Are the World. Some geezer band from the '70s reunited to...

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