Common and John Legend Bring “Glory” to Life at Obama Presidential Center Opening in Chicago
The opening of the Obama Presidential Center was marked by a powerful and emotionally charged musical moment as Common and John Legend reunited on stage to perform their Oscar-winning anthem Glory, bringing one of the night’s most memorable highlights to thousands in attendance.
The star-studded ceremony, held on Thursday (June 18), celebrated the official opening of the 19-acre campus in Chicago’s Jackson Park neighborhood. The event featured appearances and performances from major global artists including Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Eddie Vedder, and The Roots, underscoring the cultural scale of the occasion.
John Legend first took to the stage alone, delivering a soulful piano performance of Donny Hathaway’s Someday We’ll All Be Free, setting a reflective tone inside the packed venue. The atmosphere shifted as Chicago-born rapper Common joined him, alongside the United Voices of Chicago choir, for a stirring rendition of Glory, the 2014 anthem from the film Selma.
As the performance built in intensity, Common’s verses carried particular weight given the setting. “The Obama Center is for the glory,” he declared on stage, drawing a strong response from the audience. The two artists closed the performance side by side, raising their fists in a moment of solidarity that symbolized the evening’s broader themes of unity, progress, and legacy.
The ceremony later transitioned into a grand finale featuring an ensemble of performers including Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Vedder, John Legend, Common, and The Roots. Together, they delivered a rousing version of Higher Ground, bringing multiple generations of musical influence together on one stage.
During the finale, Common also delivered an improvised freestyle that referenced historical and political figures including former Presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and George W. Bush, as well as civil rights icons such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, tying the performance to the broader legacy being celebrated.
The opening of the Obama Presidential Center, which officially welcomed visitors on June 19, has already become one of the most significant cultural events of the year. Interest in the campus remains extremely high, with admission tickets currently sold out through October and additional availability expected later.
For many in attendance, however, it was the performance of Glory that defined the night — a moment where music, history, and memory converged in a shared tribute to struggle, progress, and hope.
