KIRO NEWSRADIO

President Obama sings again, this time it’s the blues

Feb 22, 2012, 8:15 AM | Updated: Oct 14, 2024, 10:49 am

The president just couldn’t say no: Mick Jagger held out a mic almost by way of command, and soon Barack Obama was belting out the blues with the best of them.

The East Room of the White House was transformed into an intimate blues club on Tuesday night for a concert featuring blues all-stars of the past, present and future, and the president himself.

The surprise performance by Obama came at the end of the playlist when the blues ensemble was singing “Sweet Home Chicago,” the blues anthem of Obama’s home town.

Buddy Guy prodded the president, saying he’d heard that the president sang part of an Al Green tune recently, and adding, “You gotta keep it up.”

Then Jagger handed over the mic, and Obama seemed compelled to comply.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

KIRO Newsradio

Poe Russell ground stop...

Frank Lenzi

KIRO Newsradio host Angela Poe Russell stuck in Cabo until Tuesday after ground stop

KIRO Newsradio host Angela Poe Russell and her family are stuck in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, until Tuesday after a ground stop left them waiting aboard their plane for 6½ hours Friday.

4 hours ago

Denny Blaine Seattle LGBTQ...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘This is a beautiful thing’: Gee praises Seattle’s celebration of Denny Blaine Park’s LGBTQ history amid nude beach controversy

Seattle honors Denny Blaine Park's LGBTQ history after years of debate, uniting community leaders and members in celebration.

9 hours ago

Leesa Manion - King County...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘Three days of medication and not much else’: King County prosecutor calls for fixes to WA’s involuntary treatment system

People released after being involuntarily committed for mental health or substance use treatment in King County often leave with little support.

19 hours ago

Follow @https://twitter.com/jcurleyshow...

John Curley Show

‘One party with two jerseys’: Former Evergreen professor Bret Weinstein outlines plan to take over Libertarian Party

Bret Weinstein said his American Liberty Party aims to break the hold of the Republican and Democratic parties by taking over the Libertarian Party.

19 hours ago

microsoft outage...

Luke Duecy

The Spin: Microsoft outage and how the company used PR to manage a global service disruption

A major Microsoft outage disrupted Outlook, Teams, Copilot, and other Microsoft 365 services for two days.

22 hours ago

Follow @https://twitter.com/jcurleyshow...

John Curley Show

‘She went against everybody that had gotten her in there’: Curley questions Katie Wilson’s Seattle CCTV expansion

John Curley characterized Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s decision to expand police surveillance cameras as a break with the supporters who helped elect her.

1 day ago

President Obama sings again, this time it’s the blues