Concert Highlights | A Capitol Fourth | PBS

The Concert

In the quarter century since A Capitol Fourth’s humble beginning, a parade of superstars — including Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, Gloria Estefan, Huey Lewis and the News, Little Richard, Tony Bennett, Faith Hill, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, the Bee Gees, Kenny G, Aaron Neville and Kenny Rogers — have offered the best in American entertainment and helped set the tone for a spectacular American birthday party.

There have been many highlights throughout the 29 years of A Capitol Fourth. We’d like to share a few from past shows.

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On a previous A Capitol Fourth, everybody’s favorite Muppet Elmo sang a heartfelt Happy Birthday America accompanied by the renowned National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Erich Kunzel. This year, the Muppets from Sesame Street return to celebrate their forty years on the air, performing iconic Sesame Street songs and a rousing patriotic medley.

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Tchaikovsky’s ‘1812 Overture’ is played each year on the show accompanied by the brilliant fireworks display over the Washington Monument.  It’s a crowd pleaser and A Capitol Fourth tradition.

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On the 2008 A Capitol Fourth, the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps performed favorite American marches at the Grant Statue while the fireworks exploded over the city.

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The performers in front of the cameras are fun to watch, but the talent behind the scenes makes it all come together.  Here is a time-lapse video of the full process of making A Capitol Fourth come to life.  It’s the show from start to finish.

Many factors have contributed to the show's success over the years. Find out what goes on behind the scenes at A Capitol Fourth and what it takes to put the show on the air. The show must go on, no matter what the weather conditions, and that keeps the production staff busy up until the last minute with frenzied preparations. For a visit down memory lane, read an interview with Executive Producer Jerry Colbert about the creation of A Capitol Fourth and visit our photo gallery to relive the highlights of previous years' concerts.