Musicians at the White House

  • Musicians at the White House

    President Clinton once stated that "one of the nice things about being President was that nearly anyone would come perform for him." This exhibit contains photographs of President Clinton and some of the most popular musical artists of the 20th Century. 

    President Clinton plays the saxophone with jazz musicians at the 14th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival on the South Grounds
  • About 1.2 million people visit the White House each year, occasionally among them are music icons. Many of President Clinton's encounters with musicians came when they visited the White House. However, these famous tourists also received a tour of the Oval Office, and a photo opportunity with the President.

  • U2 met President Clinton in the Oval Office while on their "Popmart" tour, May 26, 1997, Photographer: Ralph Alswang
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  • President Clinton poses for a photo with members of the rock band Pearl Jam, and others in the Oval Office. Present for the photo include, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, Mike...Show more
    President Clinton poses for a photo with members of the rock band Pearl Jam, and others in the Oval Office. Present for the photo include, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, Mike McCready, Eddie Vedder, John Hoyt, Pyramid Communications, and Kelly Curtis, band manager, April 9, 1994, *Photographer: Barbara Kinney. Show less
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  • President Clinton greets musician Jimmy Buffet in the Outer Oval Office area, June 17, 1993, Photographer: Bob McNeely.
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  • President Clinton poses for a photo with musician Sheryl Crow and her band in the Oval Office, March 21, 1995, Photographer: Sharon Farmer.
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  • President Clinton takes a photograph with the band, the Eagles in the Oval Office. The band presents the President with a guitar, September 13, 1994, Photographer: Ralph ...Show more
    President Clinton takes a photograph with the band, the Eagles in the Oval Office. The band presents the President with a guitar, September 13, 1994, Photographer: Ralph Alswang. Show less
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  • President Clinton and Vice President Gore pose for a photo with musician Tom Petty and wife Jane Petty in the Oval Office, April 10, 1995, Photographer: Robert McNeely.
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  • Musician, David Bowie spends a moment in the Oval Office at the White House, October 6, 1995, Photographer: Barbara Kinney.
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  • President Clinton greets Blue Grass musician and multiple Grammy award winner, Alison Krauss at a reception in the residence following the WETA "Women of Country" concert...Show more
    President Clinton greets Blue Grass musician and multiple Grammy award winner, Alison Krauss at a reception in the residence following the WETA "Women of Country" concert, May 17, 1995, Photographer: Barbara Kinney. Show less
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  • President Clinton talks with musician Jon Bon Jovi in the Oval Office, December 15, 2000, Photographer: David Scull.
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  • Rolling Stones front man, Mick Jagger, shares a laugh with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton during his visit to the White House, August 9, 1994, Photographer: Barbara Ki...Show more
    Rolling Stones front man, Mick Jagger, shares a laugh with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton during his visit to the White House, August 9, 1994, Photographer: Barbara Kinney. Show less
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  • President Clinton poses for a photo in the Oval Office with members of the rock band Soul Asylum, and others. Present for the photo include, Dave Pirner, Karl Mueller, Da...Show more
    President Clinton poses for a photo in the Oval Office with members of the rock band Soul Asylum, and others. Present for the photo include, Dave Pirner, Karl Mueller, Dan Murphy, Grant Young, and others, September 20, 1993, Photographer: Sharon Farmer. Show less
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  • President William J. Clinton greets musician Willie Nelson in the Oval Office of the White House, September 23, 1993, Photographer: Bob McNeely.
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  • A few of the relationships President Clinton shared with legendary musicians went further than fandom. Actor, musician, and icon, Barbra Streisand was an early supporter of then Governor Clinton's ambition for the the Presidency. President Clinton introduced Streisand to his mother, Virginia Kelly at the 1993 Inauguration and the two became fast friends.  Streisand even dedicated a chapter of her autobiography to the President's mother.

    President Clinton at the White House greeting legendary musician and friend, Barbra Streisand, March 27, 1993, Photographer: Barbara Kinney.
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  • President Clinton greets entertainer Carly Simon on the tarmac at Martha's Vineyard Airport, August 18, 1998, Photographer: Barbara Kinney.
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  • Joni Mitchell stopped by the White House on November 5, 1998 at the invitation of President Clinton. It is no secret that the Clintons' daughter, Chelsea, got her name from the Joni Mitchell song, "Chelsea Morning." In Clinton's autobiography My Life, he recalled that he was strolling down King’s Road in Chelsea with Hillary in December 1978. They were in London on a brief vacation celebrating his election as governor of Arkansas for the first time. Window-shopping, the two of them heard Judy Collins' version of “Chelsea Morning” blaring from the loudspeaker of a store. Bill remembered, “We agreed on the spot that if we ever had a daughter we’d call her Chelsea.” 

    Musician Joni Mitchell greets President Clinton in the Oval Office, November 5, 1998, Photographer: Sharon Farmer.
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  • Some musicians, like Smokey Robinson visited the White House in support of Administrative initiatives. President Clinton and Motown legend Smokey Robinson addressed the 100 people who attended the fundraising event.  Clinton spoke at length about his relationship with Jesse Jackson and the many contributions his organization Rainbow/PUSH (Pledge United to Save Humanity) Coalition has made to the betterment of society.  Robinson talked briefly about the importance of keeping the arts (including music) in our school system.  “Keep Hope Alive” is the name given to an inspirational speech delivered by Jackson at the DNC (Democratic National Convention) on July 19, 1988.

    President Clinton, Jesse Jackson, and musician Smokey Robinson address the "Keep Hope Alive" reception at the Hotel Washington in Washington, DC, December 7, 1999, Photog...Show more
    President Clinton, Jesse Jackson, and musician Smokey Robinson address the "Keep Hope Alive" reception at the Hotel Washington in Washington, DC, December 7, 1999, Photographer: William Vasta. Show less
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  • Musicians were often invited to the White House to celebrate holidays and special events. Art Garfunkel was invited to perform at the White House Easter Egg Roll. 

    Art Garfunkel and his son James perform on the South Lawn for the annual Easter Egg Roll, April 13, 1998, Photographer: Rob Sumner.
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  • The Clintons pose for a photo at the Easter events reception with singers Justin Timberlake and Lance Bass from the band NSYNC and others in the Blue Room of the White Ho...Show more
    The Clintons pose for a photo at the Easter events reception with singers Justin Timberlake and Lance Bass from the band NSYNC and others in the Blue Room of the White House, April 24, 2000, Photographer: Ralph Alswang. Show less
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  • President Clinton poses for a photo on the South Lawn at his Birthday celebration with musicians Stephen Stills, David Crosby, and Graham Nash, August 19, 1994, Photograp...Show more
    President Clinton poses for a photo on the South Lawn at his Birthday celebration with musicians Stephen Stills, David Crosby, and Graham Nash, August 19, 1994, Photographer: Bob McNeely. Show less
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  • President Clinton greeting musician Todd Rundgren at a Christmas party in the White House, December 17, 2000, Photographer: Ralph Alswang.
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  • Music legends were also honored at the White House. On October 7, 1993 the White House hosted the National Medal of Arts ceremony. Amongst the people honored, the only musicians were Ray Charles and band leader Cab Calloway. The ceremony took place on the South Lawn of the White House and featured remarks by both the President and First Lady. Clinton saved some of his best lines for Charles, declaring him to be one of “America’s favorite singers.” He made reference to the Georgia roots of the honoree and how in his hands gospel music got combined with rhythm and blues in an inventive and creative manner. Perhaps Clinton’s most memorable lines came when he said Charles’ “many hit songs are indelibly etched in the hearts of millions of Americans.”

    President Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton award Ray Charles a National Medal of Arts on the South Lawn, October 7, 1993, Photographer: Barbara Kinney.
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  • President Clinton greets singer-musician Joan Baez in a receiving line in the Blue Room of the White House during the Medal of Freedom awards, September 9, 1996, Photogra...Show more
    President Clinton greets singer-musician Joan Baez in a receiving line in the Blue Room of the White House during the Medal of Freedom awards, September 9, 1996, Photographer: Sharon Farmer. Show less
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  • President Clinton joins blue grass musician Bill Monroe on stage on the State Floor during a performance at the National Medal of Arts dinner, October 5, 1995, Photograph...Show more
    President Clinton joins blue grass musician Bill Monroe on stage on the State Floor during a performance at the National Medal of Arts dinner, October 5, 1995, Photographer: Ralph Alswang. Show less
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  • President Clinton greets Kennedy Center Honors awardee, Rock N' Roll pioneer, and country music legend Johnny Cash on the State Floor of the White House, December 8, 1996...Show more
    President Clinton greets Kennedy Center Honors awardee, Rock N' Roll pioneer, and country music legend Johnny Cash on the State Floor of the White House, December 8, 1996, Photographer: Barbara Kinney. Show less
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  • President Clinton greets musician Bruce Springsteen in the Blue Room during the Kennedy Center Honors Reception, December 7, 1997, Photographer: Ralph Alswang.
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  • Musicians performed at the White House for a variety of events.  Allison Krauss, Suzy Bogguss, Kathy Mattea and Chet Atkins were just a few of the musicians that performed at the WETA "Women of Country" concert hosted on the South lawn of the White House. 

    Alison Krauss, Suzy Bogguss, Kathy Mattea and Chet Atkins and band perform for the WETA "Women of Country" concert on the South Lawn of the White House, May 5, 1995, Phot...Show more
    Alison Krauss, Suzy Bogguss, Kathy Mattea and Chet Atkins and band perform for the WETA "Women of Country" concert on the South Lawn of the White House, May 5, 1995, Photographer: Barbara Kinney. Show less
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  • President Clinton makes remarks at the Congressional Picnic with country music singer Trisha Yearwood, June 23, 1994, Photographer: Ralph Alswang.
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  • President Clinton greets mezzo-soprano opera singer Denyce Graves in a receiving line in the Blue Room of the White House during the NPR anniversary event, November 3, 19...Show more
    President Clinton greets mezzo-soprano opera singer Denyce Graves in a receiving line in the Blue Room of the White House during the NPR anniversary event, November 3, 1997, Photographer: Sharon Farmer. Show less
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  • On October 23, 1999, the White House hosted "The Concert of the Century." Emphasizing the powerful role music plays in the education and lives of young people all over the globe, the performance ended up on television thanks to the support of the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) and VH-1 Save the Music Foundation. B. B. King played “The Thrill is Gone,” with Clapton, then duetted with Melissa Etheridge on “When Love Comes to Town,” and concluded by teaming with Al Green, Sheryl Crow, and Lenny Kravitz for the spiritual “Take Me to the River.”

    Rock guitarist legend Eric Clapton performs along side Blues legend B.B. King at "The Concert of the Century for VH-1 Save the Music" on the South Lawn, October 23, 1999,...Show more
    Rock guitarist legend Eric Clapton performs along side Blues legend B.B. King at "The Concert of the Century for VH-1 Save the Music" on the South Lawn, October 23, 1999, Photographer: William Vasta. Show less
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  • President Clinton talks with musician Garth Brooks at the White House prior to the VH1 Save the Music concert, October 23, 1999, Photographer: William Vasta.
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  • Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame Musician John Fogerty performs at the VH1 Save the Music "Concert of the Century" at the White House, October 23, 1999, Photographer: Sharon Far...Show more
    Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame Musician John Fogerty performs at the VH1 Save the Music "Concert of the Century" at the White House, October 23, 1999, Photographer: Sharon Farmer. Show less
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  • Entertainment was often provided for Official State Visits. Some musicians were specifically requested by visiting heads of state. Czech Republic President Václav Havel specifically requested to see Lou Reed, the former leader of the American band the Velvet Underground, perform at the September 16, 1998 State Dinner. 

    Musician Lou Reed performs with his band at the State Dinner for President Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic, September 16, 1998, Photographer: Barbara Kinney.
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  • Recording artist Whitney Houston performs for President Nelson Mandela at a White House State Dinner in his honor, October 4, 1994, Photographer: Sharon Farmer.
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  • Musicians also performed for the President at events not hosted by the White House. Aretha Franklin performed at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel on May 1, 1999. Clinton addressed the journalists while Franklin provided the entertainment afterwards. The photo shows the President applauding “The Queen of Soul.” 

    President Clinton applauds singer Aretha Franklin during her performance at the annual White House Correspondents dinner in Washington, DC, May 5, 1999, Photographer: Sha...Show more
    President Clinton applauds singer Aretha Franklin during her performance at the annual White House Correspondents dinner in Washington, DC, May 5, 1999, Photographer: Sharon Farmer. Show less
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  • President Clinton plays the saxophone with jazz musicians at the 14th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival on the South Grounds, June 18, 1993, Photographer: Sharon F...Show more
    President Clinton plays the saxophone with jazz musicians at the 14th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival on the South Grounds, June 18, 1993, Photographer: Sharon Farmer. Show less
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  • President Clinton greets musician Little Richard and Luther Vandross on stage at the Ford's Theatre Gala in Washington, DC, October 30, 1994, Robert McNeely.
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  • President Clinton greets singer Mariah Carey at the U.S. Capitol. Mariah Carey performed at the 15th Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service, May 15, 1996, Photog...Show more
    President Clinton greets singer Mariah Carey at the U.S. Capitol. Mariah Carey performed at the 15th Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service, May 15, 1996, Photographer: Bob McNeely. Show less
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  • President Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton pose for a photo with musician Van Morrison in Belfast, Northern Ireland, November 30, 1995, Photographer: Bob McNeely.
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  • Musicians also supported the Clinton/ Gore campaigns with their talent. The band Fleetwood Mac reunited at the insistence of Clinton in order to play “Don’t Stop” at his first inaugural ball. The song remained standard fare during the presidential races of 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 whenever he showed up to give speeches and so forth in support of Democratic candidates. Most famously, at the 2000 Democratic National Convention he concluded his remarks by declaring, “Keep putting people first. Keep building those bridges. And don’t stop thinking about tomorrow!” The band Hootie and Blowfish played at a Clinton/Gore fundraiser luncheon in 1994.

    President Clinton poses for a photo with the members of the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, June 22, 1994, Photographer: Sharon Farmer.
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  • President Clinton greets musicians Mickey Hart and Phil Lesh from rock band Grateful Dead at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, California, September 21, 1995, Photogra...Show more
    President Clinton greets musicians Mickey Hart and Phil Lesh from rock band Grateful Dead at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, California, September 21, 1995, Photographer: Barbara Kinney. Show less
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  • President Clinton plays the saxophone with jazz musicians at the 14th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival on the South Grounds
  • U2 met President Clinton in the Oval Office while on their "Popmart" tour.
    President Clinton poses for a photo with members of the rock band Pearl Jam, and others in the Oval Office. Present for the photo include, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, Mike McCready, Eddie Vedder, John Hoyt, Pyramid Communications, and Kelly Curtis, band manager
    President Clinton greets musician Jimmy Buffet in the Outer Oval Office area.
    President Clinton poses for a photo with musician Sheryl Crow and her band in the Oval Office
    President Clinton takes a photograph with the band, the Eagles in the Oval Office. The band presents the President with a guitar
    President Clinton and Vice President Gore pose for a photo with musician Tom Petty and wife Jane Petty in the Oval Office
    Rock & Roll Musician David Bowie spends a moment in the Oval Office at the White House
    President Clinton greets Alison Krauss at a reception in the residence following the WETA "Women of Country" concert
    President Clinton talks with musician Jon Bon Jovi in the Oval Office
    Musician Mick Jagger shares a laugh with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton during his visit to the White House
    President Clinton poses for a photo in the Oval Office with members of the rock band Soul Asylum, and others. Present for the photo include, Dave Pirner, Karl Mueller, Dan Murphy, Grant Young, and others.
    President William J. Clinton greets musician Willie Nelson in the Oval Office of the White House
    President Clinton at the White House greeting legendary musician and friend, Barbra Streisand
    President Clinton greets entertainer Carly Simon on the tarmac at Martha's Vineyard Airport
    Musician Joni Mitchell greets President Clinton in the Oval Office
    President Clinton, Jesse Jackson, and musician Smokey Robinson address the "Keep Hope Alive" reception at the Hotel Washington in Washington, DC
    Art Garfunkel and his son James perform on the South Lawn for the annual Easter Egg Roll
    The Clintons pose for a photo at the Easter events reception with singers Justin Timberlake and Lance Bass from the band NSYNC and others in the Blue Room of the White House.
    President Clinton poses for a photo on the South Lawn with musicians Stephen Stills, David Crosby, and Graham Nash
    President Clinton greeting musician Todd Rundgren at a Christmas party in the White House.
    President Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton award Ray Charles a National Medal of Arts on the South Lawn
    President Clinton greets singer-musician Joan Baez in a receiving line in the Blue Room of the White House during the Medal of Freedom awards
    President Clinton joins blue grass musician Bill Monroe on stage on the State Floor during a performance at the National Medal of Arts dinner
    President Clinton greets Kennedy Center Honors awardee musician Johnny Cash on the State Floor of the White House
    President Clinton greets musician Bruce Springsteen in the Blue Room during the Kennedy Center Honors Reception.
    Alison Krauss, Suzy Bogguss, Kathy Mattea and Chet Atkins and band perform for the WETA "Women of Country" concert on the South Lawn of the White House
    President Clinton makes remarks at the Congressional Picnic with country music singer Trisha Yearwood
    President Clinton greets mezzo-soprano opera singer Denyce Graves in a receiving line in the Blue Room of the White House during the NPR anniversary event
    Rock guitarist legend Eric Clapton performs along side Blues legend B.B. King at "The Concert of the Century for VH-1 Save the Music" on the South Lawn
    President Clinton talks with musician Garth Brooks at the White House prior to the VH1 Save the Music concert
    Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame Musician John Fogerty performs at the VH1 Save the Music "Concert of the Century" at the White House
    Musician Lou Reed performs with his band at the State Dinner for President Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic
    Recording artist Whitney Houston performs for President Nelson Mandela at a White House State Dinner in his honor
    President Clinton applauds singer Aretha Franklin during her performance at the annual White House Correspondents dinner in Washington, DC
    President Clinton plays the saxophone with jazz musicians at the 14th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival on the South Grounds
    President Clinton greets musician Little Richard and Luther Vandross on stage at the Ford's Theatre Gala in Washington, DC.
    President Clinton greets singer Mariah Carey at the U.S. Capitol. Mariah performs at the 15th Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service
    President Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton pose for a photo with musician Van Morrison in Belfast, Northern Ireland
    President Clinton poses for a photo with the members of the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish
    President Clinton greets musicians Mickey Hart and  Phil Lesh from rock band Grateful Dead at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, California
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