Event News

Mick Jagger, B. B. King and Buddy Guy to Play at the White House

Published: 2012-02-14

Never mind that Mick Jagger is not primarily known as a blues singer. The famed front man for the Rolling Stones is the biggest star on the list of artists who will perform at the White House on Feb. 21 to celebrate blues music and recognize Black History Month, wires services reported.

The program, called “In Performance at the White House: Red, White and Blues," will include several renowned blues musicians, among them B. B. King, Buddy Guy, Keb Mo and Gary Clarke Jr. Trombone Shorty, the jazz-fusion prodigy from New Orleans, is also on the bill.

But the performance for President Obama and the first lady in the East Room will feature two English rockers as well: Mr. Jagger, a vocalist whose influences include bluesmen like Howlin' Wolf, and Jeff Beck, the English guitarist from the Yardbirds.

It is the the first time Mr. Jagger has been invited to perform at the White House, his publicist said.

Directed by Booker T. Jones of Booker T and the MGs, next week's event will be taped and then broadcast by PBS on Feb. 27. The president will deliver remarks at the event. The “In Performance at the White House" series goes back to 1978, and the Obamas have used it to showcase a wide range of music.

Highlights during Mr. Obama's term have included Bob Dylan belting out “The Times, They are a Changin'" and Paul McCartney crooning the Beatles classic “Michelle" for the first lady.

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