4th of July Commentary by Arnie Leshin

Happy 241^st birthday, America, as viewers were   treated to enjoyable performers and spectacular fireworks at the annual celebrations Tuesday night in the nation’s capitol and New York City

In D.C., they brought in the Beach Boys, the Four Tops, the Blues Brothers, while Macy’s in NYC gave us Sheryl Crow, Jennifer Lopez, Brad Paisly, Hailee Steinfeld   

Commentary by Arnie Leshin, Santa Fe Today

Can’t forget 1983 when first lady Nancy Reagan stepped in to protest not having the Beach Boys perform at the annual Fourth of July celebration in the nation’s capitol. She made it an issue when one administrator said that their music was not acceptable for this holiday.

She was furious and let it be known that the Beach Boys are America’s band, and it didn’t take long for President Ronald Reagan to second this, and promptly invite the group to the White House to let it know that it was going to perform at the upcoming July 4^th celebration.

Alongside him stood Nancy, smiling and happy that the prior decision was overcome and hugged each Beach Boy to express her joy. President Reagan applauded each hug.

Came July 4^th and the site that graced the Capitol Building, the Lincoln Memorial, and was a short walk from the White House, was packed by mid-afternoon. And when the Beach Boys took the stage, the crowd erupted into continuous chants and applause.

And as long as the California group existed, it was obvious this would never happen again, for it would always be welcomed at anything honoring America. The Reagans made this clear.

But after a concert last summer, it was confirmed by lead singer Mike Love that this was it, that the Beach Boys were calling it quits, that after 50 years it was time to shut down their concerts that brought legendary music loved for so long.

But hold on, listening to the announcement that they were going to be one of the performers at this Fourth of July celebration in D.C., I thought I had to see it to believe it. If they were retired, then it was fake news, something common these days.

Then the time came. On one channel was the D.C. celebration, on another the annual Macy’s Fireworks that originated off the waters of New York City and found its way to performers elsewhere in the land.

John Stamos was the master of ceremonies in D.C. Through the last 20 years or so, he had performed several times on the drums for the Beach Boys. And when he announced that he would be doing so with them once more on this stage, it was obvious and I was unprepared for this marvelous news that we would again be treated to the Beach Boys.

Yes, the D.C. celebration had brought back the past, Mike Love and his white goatee, none of the Wilson brothers as Brian is the lone one of the three still alive, but Bob Johnson was there and he was one of the early group members. And on the drums was Stamos.

It no doubt brought back memories of the Beach Boys’ music loved by the young and the old. And this was evidenced by the crowd’s attachment, dancing and singing along for seven numbers performed. Yes, I sang along. I even did some dancing, turned the volume up.

The Four Tops, whose lead singer passed away back in 1998, also brought back memories, for in their time, they were among the best. They did a medley of their past hits, and to see them again was yet another treat.

The Blues Brothers, oh my. Dan Aykboyd and Jim Belushi came out and performed just like before. Older they were, but musically and comically, they were terrific. It was as if they had never left the movies or the stage.

They danced in step, they sang just like before, and so this was another treat to behold. Sam Moore of former performers Sam & Dave even took the stage to join the Blues Brothers with one of his own hit numbers.

While the D.C. celebration went in this direction, the Macy’s served up performers from the more modern era. On rooftops in NYC with the Empire State Building in the background, came popular Sheryl Crow and young and gifted Hailee Steinfeld, and from concerts picked up in California, there was country singing star Brad Paisly and there was the ultra-talented Jennifer Lopez.

That was four different acts that were no doubt enjoyed by mostly all ages.

For the outdoor entertainers, both sites were blessed by good weather, not a drop of rain but high temperatures that reached the low 80s, but were manageable.

Macy’s advertizes its 30-minute fireworks display as the best in the world, and it was rightfully so once again. From the East River site, it sent up multiple colors, multiple displays small and large, and spread its way for miles around. It was simply a beautiful site to see.

In D.C. the fireworks were neat, but Macy’s show gained the spotlight.

The crowds at both places loved all of it. There were youngsters listening, singing and dancing to music they had never heard before. They also shared the moments when patriotic music was sung, played. The older folks were especially delighted to again see the Beach Boys, the Four Tops, the Blues Brothers.

Were there political protests? Who knows, maybe somewhere in the streets, but not at these two sites where happy times were shared by all.

And so God Bless America as it celebrates its 241^st birthday.