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Watch John Legend perform Prince's 'Let's Go Crazy' at DNC ahead of Florida shows

C. A. Bridges   Paste BN NETWORK - Florida
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Multi-Grammy winner and R&B artist John Legend commanded the stage with "Queen of Percussion" Sheila E. at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago Wednesday night, the latest in a string of stellar musical performances from artists such as Common, Patti LaBelle, Jason Isbell, Mickey Guyton, Stevie Wonder and Maren Morris.

Legend and Sheila Escovedo blasted out Prince's "Let's Go Crazy" toward the end of a running-late schedule just before Walz was due to formally accept the Democratic nomination for vice president.

After the DNC, Legend will need to hustle back south. He has shows in Florida starting Sunday.

"I LOVE being in Chicago right now!" Legend posted to Instagram Wednesday. "So many inspiring changemakers have come to town. So many people who want to make our country stronger."

It wasn't Legend's first Prince performance. In 2020, he covered "Nothing Compares 2 U" at the Grammys as part of a tribute to the late singer-songwriter.

This year's raucous DNC has at times seemed more like a dance club this year, especially during the ceremonial roll call of states Tuesday when DJ Cassidy played different songs for each individual state (Florida got "I Won't Back Down," by native son Tom Petty). James Taylor was scheduled to perform Monday but was bumped for time.

Pop star Pink will be the featured performer for Thursday night, according to CNN.

This is Legend's fourth DNC show

Legend is something of a DNC tradition. In 2020, when it was largely virtual due to the COVID pandemic, Legend shared the stage with Common and a gospel choir to honor civil rights leader John Lewis with a performance of "Glory," the theme song they wrote for the 2014 movie "Selma."

In 2020 he performed for President Joe Biden and in 2008 he sang for former President Barack Obama.

Legend also headlined a show for Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker earlier this week.

When is John Legend performing at the DNC?

Legend and Sheila E. hit the stage just after 11 p.m. EDT.

When is John Legend performing in Florida?

Legend is performing two shows in Florida in August and one in October.

How can I watch the DNC?

The Democratic National Convention Committee announced it will be streaming the convention over a dozen platforms including, for the first time, vertical streams on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. Primetime convention programming will air live from 6:30-11 p.m. EDT on Monday and from 7-11 p.m. EDT Tuesday through Thursday.

Coverage of the convention by television networks will vary slightly. Here’s a breakdown of the major networks and their coverage plans:

  • C-SPAN will carry the entire convention uninterrupted for all four days.
  • CBS television stations will have live coverage starting at 7 a.m. EDT all four days with primetime coverage and analysis.
  • NBC News will broadcast NBC Nightly News live while it streams the program, hosted by Lester Holt all four nights and joined by Samantha Guthrie Tuesday through Friday. The show will run from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. EDT on Monday and Tuesday and from 9-11 p.m. EDT on Wednesday and Thursday.
  • ABC News will broadcast live from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. EDT every day for four days on its main broadcast network and from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. EDT on ABC News Live.
  • Fox News will air extensive coverage during its regular prime-time lineup of shows starting with FOX News Sunday, and will broadcast a nightly one-hour special starting at 10 p.m. EDT, hosted by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.
  • CNN will begin live coverage at 9 a.m. EDT Sunday with special editions of several CNN shows. There will be nearly 24/7 coverage throughout the convention. The network will then have a combination of coverage and analysis each night from 8 p.m. to midnight, anchored by Jake Tapper and Anderson Cooper.
  • MSNBC will broadcast coverage every day of the convention along with a prime-time special at 8 p.m. hosted by Rachel Maddow.
  • PBS will have live special coverage starting at 7 p.m. EDT on local PBS channels, on the PBS app and streaming on YouTube, hosted by News Hour's Amna Nawaz and Geoff Bennett.
  • NewsNation will present special coverage of the DNC throughout the week, beginning Sunday, Aug. 18, through Thursday, Aug. 22. Along with its other programming, NewsNation will present “Decision Desk 2024: The Democratic National Convention” from 8 p.m. - 12 a.m. EDT all four days.

Editor's note: Legend's former DNC performances updated.

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