US president Barack Obama is often standing in front of a microphone, but overnight he did it to sing the blues with Mick Jagger and BB King.
The surprise performance came at the end of a concert where legends and up-and-comers turned the White House's East Room into an intimate blues club to celebrate the rich history of the blues and its impact on American music.
King, 86, arrived in a wheelchair but rose tall to kick off the night with a rollicking rendition of 'Let the Good Times Roll', quickly joined by other members of the ensemble. And he followed with 'The Thrill is Gone'.
From there, Obama and his wife, Michelle, were swaying in their seats and singing along to an all-hits playlist including 'St. James Infirmary' and 'Let Me Love You'.
Beck slowed things down with an instrumental 'Brush With the Blues', as anticipation built for the arrival of Jagger.
The longtime Rolling Stones frontman delivered on 'I Can't Turn You Loose' and then teamed up with Beck on 'Commit a Crime'. Jagger got the president and his wife up out of their seats, swaying and clapping to the music.
Obama was a bit shy at first, but soon took the microphone much to the crowd's delight.
Obama previously displayed his singing prowess at a fundraiser in January, crooning a line from Al Green's song 'Let's Stay Together'.
Actress Taraji P. Henson was the program host and Booker T. Jones was music director and band leader.
The blues concert will be part of the "In Performance at the White House" series that airs on PBS in the US.
3 News / APTN