Inauguration activities for President-elect Barack Obama kicked off in Washington, D.C., with a star-studded concert launched by Bruce Springsteen and other major stars just steps from the Lincoln Memorial.

The crowd, estimated to reach half-a-million people, erupted in cheers when Obama and his wife, Michelle, arrived and walked down the steps of the memorial to greet the excited onlookers. Obama and his wife joined Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, behind bullet-proof glass near the stage.

Countless celebrities attended the concert including the first star to speak at the event, Denzel Washington, who told the crowd, "we are all in this together." Tom Hanks also appeared and read a somber tribute to Abraham Lincoln.

Also performing at the concert were U2, Beyoncé Knowles, John Mellencamp, John Legend, Usher, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Herbie Hancock, Will.i.Am, Mary J. Blige and Garth Brooks.

Obama arrived in the capital on Saturday along with Vice President-elect Joe Biden after his "Obama Express" whistle-stop train journey from Philadelphia to the nation's capital in preparation for his official inaugural on Tuesday.