John Legend To Honor Military Heroes With A Special Concert Alongside Jason Derulo
By Favour Adegoke on April 14, 2022 at 8:00 PM EDT
There's no lick of doubt that John Legend is an icon. With about 12 Grammy awards under his belt and top hits on the Billboard chart, the "All Of Me" crooner is shaking the music industry one song at a time.
According to certain publications, the singer's debut song, "Get Lifted," sold about 3million globally. In addition, his 2013's "All Of Me" has been played and streamed on the Spotify platform over a billion times.
He, however, isn't only involved in singing and song productions. He has been a part of other projects and has earned several awards outside of music, including People's "Sexiest Man Alive."
Legend has now been announced to headline a special concert on May 29, to honor military heroes.
Read on for more details about the concert.
The Concert Is Organised By Northwell
The EGOT winner, alongside Jason Derulo, would be performing over Memorial Day weekend to honor military heroes, per Longisland Press.
The concert, which is a part of Northwell's "Side By Side: A Celebration Of Service 2022," will kick off by honoring military veterans. This is the fourth year this will be happening, but the first year it'd be taking place in the new UBS park in Elmont.
Other performers in the past include Boyz II Men, Katy Perry, Imagine Dragons, and Gavin DeGraw.
"Memorial Day weekend is a dedicated time every year to reflect on the sacrifices so many Americans have made in our country's history," President and CEO of Northwell, Micheal Dowling, explained. "We should never take for granted the freedoms we enjoy in this country or forget our heroes in the armed forces who will stop at nothing to protect those freedoms. We are honored to host 'Side by Side: A Celebration of Service' for those very reasons – to honor our service members," he concluded.
https://youtu.be/_ehHwKH5qbQ
The aim of NorthWell's big event is to crowdfund for military heroes. A day before the concert, there would be a free block party hosted by "Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air" actor Alfonso Robeiro with a guest appearance by musician Questlove and Broadway stars. It will consist of games, food festivals and will be taking place at Flatiron Plaza in New York City.
Tickets for the concert would go on sale from this Friday, and all of the proceeds would go to NorthWell's health programs for the military. Apart from buying tickets, people have been urged to donate online.
Jason Derulo Would Also Be Performing Alongside John Legend
While the Grammy award winner would be taking a break from his las vegas residency to perform at the show, Derulo has also been scheduled to make an appearance.
The pair has garnered global fame with back-to-back hits such as Legend's "All Of Me" and Derulo's "Want To Want Me."
According to the statement from the vice-president of the Northwell's Military Liaison Services, Juan Serrano, they expressed so much excitement to host the event with the duo in attendance. Not only would it be a two-day celebration of New York's military veterans, but it would also be evidence of NorthWell's commitment to the veterans for the other days of the year.
"We will always stand by our heroes in uniform and their families. We owe them our full support and a debt of gratitude," he concluded.
This Is Not The First Time Legend Would Be Supporting The Military
In 2010, the R&B crooner performed for troops in Florida. The concert was a part of the "Stateside Tour for The Troops" organized for the military.
Military heroes and their families received tickets to "An Evening with John Legend."
Before he started, he appreciated the veterans for their service to humanity. He then strummed one of his many hits, accompanied only by the piano. At one point, he "enlisted" the help of his audience to sing along with him.
It was a packed night as the horde of the crowd filled every nook and cranny of the room.
John Legend Wrote 'Coming Home' In Honor Of Soldiers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0TDhiJDI1M
In 2006, John Legend wrote the song "Coming Home," whose plot explored the story of a soldier stuck in the war.
When speaking to Rolling Stone about producing the track, he added that although he didn't have any "personal experience," he thought of how it'd feel to be away from your loved ones for a long time with no hope of "ever seeing them again."
"And knowing that America is perpetually at war with somebody, either planning it or debating," he concluded.
