In what has to be one of the greatest nights in blues history, on Tuesday, February 21st, 2012, an All Star selection of blues greats played the White House.
The event was called “In Performance at the White House: Red, White, and Blues.” This event celebrated the rich history of blues music and its influence on American culture. It featured performances by renowned blues artists and musicians, including B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Mick Jagger, and Derek Trucks, among others.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were in attendance, along with guests from various walks of life. The event highlighted the enduring significance of blues music in American society and its role in shaping the country’s musical heritage. It also served as a platform to recognize the contributions of African American musicians to the development of blues and other genres of music.
Can you imagine how these black musicians, many who 40 years earlier were living hand to mouth in the south, were now featured—and honored—at the White House by the first black president of the United States.
In the videos below, Buddy Guy, who actually was one of those poor southern blacks, shares exactly how he felt. If this show doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, you may have a heart problem.
There is no one video that shows the whole night. It takes several videos tp make up the night. To feel the complete picture you will need to watch them all.
