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CNN Live Event/Special
CNN Special: The Fourth In America. Aired 8-9p ET
Aired July 04, 2020 - 20:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[20:00:00]
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: America, at a unique moment in history. On this Fourth of July, a nation fighting anew for life, liberty, and justice for all, as we mark the anniversary of our independence.
Tonight, a holiday event, bringing Americans together eve during these challenging times. Amazing fireworks on display in cities across much of the U.S., with stirring music and pop classics, including performances by Barry Manilow, Carlos Santana, and Cindy Blackman Santana, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, CeCe Winans, Billy Ray Cyrus, Kenny Loggins, Martina McBride, Andy Grammer, Jewel, The O'Jays, Burt Bacharach, Don McLean, Jesse Colin Young.
And Broadway showstoppers from "Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations" and "Girl from the North Country" inspired by the music of Bob Dylan, with tributes to the heroes saving lives.
And to all of the people of this country striving to realize the promise of a more perfect union. Now, a CNN Special Event, "The Fourth in America."
DANA BASH, CNN HOST: Happy Independence Day and welcome to "The Fourth in America." Preparations are underway right now here in Washington, D.C. We are just one hour away from the fireworks lighting up the skies behind me here in the nation's capital. Good evening. I'm Dana Bash overlooking the White House.
DON LEMON, CNN HOST: Happy Fourth of July, Dana Bash, and everyone at home. I'm Don Lemon with a gorgeous view of the Manhattan skyline in New York City. Look at that skyline. Look at the sunset. It's just spectacular.
I've got a party on the hotel roof next to me. Another one on another hotel roof. And Dana and I have front row seats to the fireworks just for you. Tonight, CNN will give you the best views from the safety of your home. Even if your town has canceled its festivities because of the pandemic, don't worry. We've got you covered. And of course, you know the ones that are going forward are hoping to keep spectators at a social distance, which is what everyone should be doing.
BASH: That's right. So spend the night right here with us. You are not going to be disappointed. In the next hour, Washington, D.C. puts on a captivating display and it will make the monuments glitter. And in New York, Don, where you are, the Empire State Building will play a starring role in this year's fireworks.
LEMON: And then from there, I mean, Washington, D.C. is just beautiful, but from there, we're going to go all over, right? First we're going to head south to the water off Jacksonville, Florida. And then we're going to go lakeside in Springville, Illinois, where a full moon will accent fireworks, illuminating the sky.
And then to Cookville, Tennessee, where an impressive celebration is expected there and last but not least, or we'll just say finally, Houston, Texas, observes freedom with a massive display along with the sights or. The sounds, you've already heard the musical lineup.
Dana, I know you're ready and I know the folks at home are ready, so I think we should just get this party started right now. So get ready for the cast that's bringing the temptations of Broadway. Here's "Ain't Too Proud."
EDDIE KENDRICKS, AIN'T TOO PROUD: I never met a girl that makes me feel the way that you do.
KENDRICKS AND THE TEMPTATIONS: You're all right.
KENDRICKS: I never met a girl who makes me feel the way that you do.
KENDRICKS AND THE TEMPTATIONS: You're out of sight.
KENDRICKS: So fee-fi-fo-fum. Look out baby 'cause here I come. And I'm bringing you a love that's true so get ready. So get ready. I'm going to try to make love to you so get ready. So get ready here I come.
If you want to play hide and seek with love let me remind you.
KENDRICKS AND THE TEMPTATIONS: It's all right.
KENDRICKS: The loving you're going to miss and the time it takes to find you.
KENDRICKS AND THE TEMPTATIONS: It's out of sight.
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KENDRICKS: So fiddle-lee-dee fiddle-lee-dum. Look out baby because here I come. And I'm bringing you a love that's true so get ready. So get ready. I'm going to try to make love to you so get ready. So get ready here I come.
KENDRICKS AND THE TEMPTATIONS: Get ready because here I come now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know you want to leave me, but I refuse to let you go. If I have to beg and plead for your sympathy, I don't mind 'cause you mean that much to me.
THE TEMPTATIONS: Ain't too proud to beg and you know it, please don't leave me girl, don't you go. Ain't too proud to plead, baby, baby, please don't leave me, girl, don't you go.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now I've heard a crying man is half a man with no sense of pride, but if I have to cry to keep you, I don't mind weeping if it'll keep you by my side.
THE TEMPTATIONS: Ain't too proud to beg sweet darling, please don't leave me girl, don't you go. Ain't too proud to plead, baby, baby, please don't leave me, girl, don't you go.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now I've got a love so deep in the pit of my heart and each day it grows more and more, I'm not ashamed to come and plead to you, baby. If pleading keeps you from walking out of that door.
THE TEMPTATIONS: Ain't too proud to beg, sweet darling, please don't leave me, girl, don't you go. Ain't to proud to plead, baby, baby, please don't leave me, girl, don't you go.
LEMON: I always wanted to be a temptation or have like -- be a backup dancer. I've already lost my mind. Listen, we have -- they were so great. Thank you, Ain't Too Proud. That was amazing. We have some great performances, a great night lined up for you here on CNN.
Look at Manhattan. Manhattan is just gorgeous right now. As is Washington, D.C. fantastic. You're going to see live performances there. It's just gorgeous. So Andy Grammer is going to perform her hit song dedicated to the front line workers and first responders of the pandemic that's been keeping all of us going, keeping the nation going. And Broadway stars were put in a very unique position. They're going to come together to sing their hearts out. And then later on, the one and only Billy Ray Cyrus joins us for a special tribute to our military veterans. "The Fourth of July in America" continue next on CNN.
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BASH: Look at this beautiful, beautiful shot of the nation's capital, magic hour as we're getting close to the sun setting and we are getting close to the fireworks starting. Welcome back to CNN's "Fourth in America." Those first fireworks are just minutes away at this point. And they are sure to be blockbuster.
Fireworks every year are a testament to America's strength. This year, that strength is being put to the test by the coronavirus pandemic. Across the country, doctors, nurses, and first responders are showing remarkable persistence in risking their own lives to help us recover.
This song, next by music star Andy Grammer recorded in the Rose Bowl is dedicated to them.
ANDY GRAMMER, AMERICAN ARTIST: I will fight, I will fight for you. I always do until my heart is black and blue. And I will stay, I will stay with you. We'll make it to the other side like lovers do.
I'll reach my hands out in the dark and wait for yours to interlock. I'll wait for you, I'll wait for you.
Cause I'm not giving up. I'm not giving up, giving up, no, not yet. Even when I'm down on my last breath. Even when they say there's nothing left. So don't give up on.
I'm not giving up. I'm not giving up, giving up, no, not me. Even when nobody else believes. I'm not going down that easily. So don't give up on me.
And I will hold, I'll hold onto you. No matter what this world will throw it won't shake me loose.
I'll reach my hands out in the dark and wait for yours to interlock. I'll wait for you, I'll wait for you.
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Cause I'm not giving up. I'm not giving up, giving up, no, not yet. Even when I'm down on my last breath. Even when they say there's nothing left. So don't give up on.
I'm not giving up. I'm not giving up, giving up, no, not me. Even when nobody else believes. I'm not going down that easily. So don't give up on me.
Whoo-oo, oo, oooo yeah, yeah, yeah, hey, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I will fight, I will fight for you, I always do until my heart is black and blue.
BASH: Wow. What an incredibly powerful performance from Andy Grammer. Thank you so much for that. You saw the empty Rose Bowl there. That's one example of how the coronavirus has changed America's way of life. Another is on Broadway. Because this week, Broadway announced that shows in New York will not return this year. But that's not stopping its stars from singing their hearts out for the very first time, the Broadway cast of "Girl from the North Country" share how they are being impacted and how they're pressing on.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In March, when Broadway shut down, we had just recorded our cast album two days prior. And we had opened only days before that. We were still glowing from our happy triumph, only to find ourselves separated from everything we had been joyously celebrating. But the world had changed in a matter of days and now we feared for the safety of our fellow man.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The circumstances of "Girl from the North Country" seemed so very far away from us while we were performing the show before the shutdown. And now they feel immediate. We wanted to share with you what we feel every night at the end of this piece about struggle and hope and love during difficult times.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Every breath, every moment, every day is a chance to find our higher calling. We are being called to be better humans, better activists, better artists, and better neighbors. It's not always easy. It's not even pleasant most of the time. But our future requires action. And as long as we are here, we will strive together. We will press on together, to that day of true equality, justice, and love.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a song that holds in its lyrics and music a beautiful message of hope and resilience and the sacredness for this time and for life in general. So we offer it to you now as a gift, until we return.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I'm pressing on, yes, I'm pressing on. Well, I'm pressing on to the height of my (INAUDIBLE). Well, I'm pressing on, pressing on, pressing on.
Many try to stop me shake me up in my mind. Say, prove to me that he is lord, what kind of sign they need when it all come from within. Then what's lost has been found, what's to come has already been and I'm pressing on.
I keep on moving on, whoa, whoa.
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CAST OF GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTY: Pressing on to the higher calling of my lord, pressing on, on and on and on and on pressing on, I keep on pressing on to the higher calling of my lord and on and on and on.
LEMON: Wow. Keep pressing on. That's right. Missing so many great performances on Broadway right now. For almost -- it will be a year, maybe, before Broadway gets back. But you're seeing it right here on CNN. And that is really Broadway, 42nd Street Times Square, the heart of New York. So many amazing performances are ahead for you tonight.
We're going to bring you another iconic song from the stars of "Ain't Too Proud" and a real special treat for you. The legendary, legendary Aretha Franklin like you have never seen her before. A song from the heart about the racial divide in America. A brand-new reporting from the queen of soul is next.
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LEMON: Welcome back, everyone, to CNN's s "Fourth in America." This holiday comes at a challenging time in this country. In addition to the coronavirus pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement has reminded us all that not all Americans enjoy the same kinds of freedoms.
But as CNN's John Blake sees it, July 4th is a reason to honor those protesting. And here's a quote, Black Lives Matter has been described as everyone from a hash tag to a symbol of hate. But the movement has rarely been described as something else, one of the finest examples of patriotism in modern America.
We want to share two performances that are sure to resonate at this moment in time. First up, "I Wish It Would Rain" was first recorded by The Temptations. The Broadway cast of "Ain't Too Proud" is putting it back into the spotlight and dedicating it to the Black Lives Matter movement. Here they are.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sunshine, blue skies, please go away. A girl has found another and gone away with her went my future, my life is filled with gloom. So day after day I stay locked up in my room. I know to you, it might sound strange, but I wish it would rain.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cause so badly I want to go outside. But everyone knows that a man ain't supposed to cry.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Listen, I got to cry 'cause crying eases the pain.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People this hurt I feel inside.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Words could never explain, I just wish it would rain. Oh let it rain, rain, rain, rain.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's no way for sanctuary. Outside the world is exploding and inside so were we.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let it rain, oh yeah, let it rain.
LEMON: And now, we want to share with you just a newly discovered performance from the queen of soul. It has been nearly two years since Aretha Franklin, my friend, passed away, but just two weeks ago, a new solo recording by Franklin surfaced. It has become anthem for America's awakening on racial inequality. You're about to hear it in full. But first, music legend, also my friend, Clive Davis, explains how this recording came to light.
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CLIVE DAVIS, RECORD PRODUCER: I got sent the record, the song, "Never Gonna Break My Faith: The Art of Being Aretha Franklin" by the cowriter of the song, who happens to be the great Brian Adams. He sends me a record of Aretha's I had never heard before. It was a solo version of "Never Gonna Break My Faith." And listening to her voice, that special voice, that is like no other.
Brian had been there when Aretha recorded the song by herself. And I've got to read you a small part of the lyric. You can lie to a child with a smiling face, tell me that color ain't about race.
Reading that lyric, feeling the impact of being matched with the incomparable Aretha Franklin, I knew we had to release it instantly.
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The amount of racial injustice is something we cannot bear as a society anymore. The need for equal justice, the need for change. Black lives do matter. I want everybody to see this video because music has a way of triggering a motion, making a difference that no one knows can match.
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LEMON: Leave it to Aretha. Aretha Franklin, the great, to put it all together for us. There'll never be another one like her. Aretha Franklin, I miss you every single day and so does America. We love you. I know you're watching from heaven.
Up next, a tribute to our men and women in uniform. Billy Ray Cyrus joins us with a touching rendition of his song, "Some Gave All."
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And then later, what happens when students meet a music legend, their inspirational meeting, a special performance and the fireworks in New York and Washington, D.C.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, I'm Sergeant First Class Marber (ph) with the 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade stationed out in the Middle East. We would like to wish our friends and family,
ALL: Happy Fourth of July.
ALL: Happy Fourth of July from IMD Airbase.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are the Marines of Bravo Company One Six, currently deployed to Camp Fuji Japan. We'd like to wish all of our family and friends back home a happy and safe Fourth of July.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello friends and family.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're Team Terrific.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From the 297 regional support group.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All the way to Poland.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And we like to wish you a Happy Fourth of July.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: USS Nimitz Aviation and Immediate Maintenance Department would like to take this opportunity to wish our friends, our family, and our loved ones a Happy Independence Day from AIMD.
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DANA BASH, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Thank you to the men and women of the armed forces who are serving this country every day, but especially today, Independence Day.
And now, an intimate and touching performance from Billy Ray Cyrus, his song "Some Gave All" is about those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this country. Here is Billy Ray Cyrus.
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BILLY RAY CYRUS, AMERICAN SINGER-SONGWRITER: Two, three, four.
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CYRUS: Thank you all for all men and women in uniform. All of our veterans out there, all of our first responders. God bless each and every one of you. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And thank you Billy Ray Cyrus for that beautiful song.
What the world needs now is love. A music legend meets the next generation of aspiring musicians, Burt Bacharach and some amazing students from the Berklee College of Music are next. And, wow, look at Washington D.C. where I am. The sun is almost down and that means we are minutes away from the start of the fireworks in Washington and, of course, in New York. Stay with us.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're minutes away from the Fourth of July fireworks. Washington is getting ready to light up the skies. But first, a group of budding musicians from Massachusetts will perform with a maestro and the song is an inspiration to the world.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What the world needs now is a fixture in American culture. First sung by Jackie DeShannon, then Dionne Warwick, and later, the Supremes. It is endured ever since appearing in movies like, "My Best Friend's Wedding." "Forest Gump," and even "Austin Powers."
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's Burt Bacharach, the man who composed that music, along with lyricist, Hal David.
This year, in the wake of coronavirus, these students from Berklee College of Music did their own rendition.
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(SINGING)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Social distancing style, with 74 individual performances stitch together.
BACHARACH: Hello there.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hello.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Watch as these aspiring musicians meet the man who made that melody. BACHARACH: Who knew it would be this? I never knew I would be like this. I never knew it would be the right song for the right time, the right place as now.
And what you brought to it by creating this kind of structure just was a necessary medicine for people, so bravo to all of you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And for the first time on this Fourth of July, 55 years after it climbed to the charts, sing it with him.
(MUSIC)
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LEMON: Now, that is America, what we just saw before the White House. The diversity up on the screen and the talent, that is America. As we look at these pictures now of the White House clad in red, white and blue.
And if you have never seen fireworks in D.C., get ready, because you're in for a treat. In moments, you will see a spectacular display that will last more than 30 minutes, so make sure you stay tuned for that.
So I want to bring in though now in Washington D.C., there he is, Mr. Alex Marquardt. He joins us now from the Mall in Washington. Alex, a final preparations are being made right now.
ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And, Don, people are getting ready. It is a spectacular evening here in the nation's capital. Just look at that light behind me. People quickly trying to find their seats for this show. Frankly, there is no bad seat in this house. Many people are gathering along the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
You can see that down there. They are lining those steps in front of the feet of the 16th president and it's from behind there that many of those 10,000 fireworks are going to be fired over the course of 35 minutes and what is being built as one of the largest fireworks displays ever. Don?
LEMON: All right. Alex Marquardt, there in Washington D.C. The Lincoln Memorial behind him right on the Mall.
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Alison Kosik is in New York City. Alison, what can we expect tonight about New York City?
ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Don, get ready for some serious sparkle in the sky under in the New York City here. It is going to be beautiful. It is a beautiful night. And I want to tell you, you're going to see something remarkable here on CNN, something you've never seen before.
For the first time, July 4th fireworks will be set off, will be launched right from the rooftop of the Empire State Building right behind me. You see it, Don, lit up in red, white, and blue? Giving me goosebumps. I can't wait to see it right here on CNN. We've got cameras up there, front row seat. You don't want to miss it.
LEMON: Start spreading the news, everyone, New York, New York.
So we're getting close now to the start of those fireworks. Thank you, by the way, Alex and Alison, thank you so much. The nation's capital is up first. Plenty more musical performances including the O'Jays. Get ready for the O'Jays. They're going be singing "Love Train." CNNs "The Fourth in America" continues. Don't go anywhere.
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LEMON: Welcome back, everyone, to our very special coverage, "The Fourth in America." Dana, are the fireworks about to begin?
BASH: They sure are.
