BB King performs at the White House, Feb. 21, 2012 (Win McNamee / Getty Images)
Barack Obama may be angling for a second career in rhythm and blues (if this whole “leader-of-the-free-world” thing doesn’t pan out). Last night, he took the mic at the White House’s all-star blues tribute night and sang a chorus of “Sweet Home Chicago” with BB King.
The AP said that during the finale, Mick Jagger held the mic out “almost by way of command,” and Obama evidently couldn’t resist. Blues guitarist Buddy Guy also pushed Obama by pointing out that he sang a line from “Let’s Stay Together” last month at an Apollo Theater fundraiser, and said, “You gotta keep it up.”
Besides King, Guy and Jagger, the White House hosted New Orleans musician Trombone Shorty, singers Shemekia Copeland and Susan Tedeschi, and guitarists Jeff Beck, Keb Mo, Gary Clark Jr., Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes. Booker T. Jones of Booker T. and the MGs was the bandleader.
Check out some clips — including Obama’s turn in the spotlight — below. The entire concert will be aired on PBS Feb. 27.
[HTML1]
1 Comment
I love my president. I think that was good singing. Plus B.B. King is the greatest blues singer of all times. I will be first in line to vote for my president Mr. Obama.