Stars such as Beyonce and Usher are to perform during the lead up to the inauguration of the first black US president, Barack Obama.

Mr Obama, labelled by his critics as "the biggest celebrity in the world", will be the focus of a coveted gig at the Lincoln Memorial for music's top names on Sunday, just two days before the official handover of power.

U2, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban and James Taylor are also expected to perform.

But the real star will be the president-elect himself who is expected to address the crowd as he attends with his family.

Other performers will include Stevie Wonder, Renee Fleming, Garth Brooks, Mary J Blige, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend and Jennifer Nettles.

Executive producer George Stevens Jr said: "We asked Springsteen, Bono and Garth Brooks within a period of 45 minutes and got three 'yeses."

The artists will not be performing their hits and have been asked to use material appropriate to the occasion instead.

Springsteen will perform The Rising and one musician will be asked to perform A Change Is Gonna Come, the song made famous by Sam Cooke, organisers said.

Historical passages will also be read by Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington, with other celebrities expected to join them.

Mr Stevens said: "The list of stars is impressive.

"But this is not a showbiz, glitzy occasion. It's going to be rooted in history, remembering the great president (Lincoln) who led us through difficult times."

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