Returning from a week in Europe, U.S. President George Bush celebrated Black Music Month at the White House on Tuesday. An annual tradition, Bush seemed to enjoy the cultural event.
"For this year's Black Music Month, we return to the theme of gospel music. The gospel music tradition was born from great pain. Slaves sang spirituals to communicate with one another in the fields, and songs of faith helped black Americans endure the injustice of segregation. Today, gospel is more than an anchor for black culture and history— it's a source of inspiration for the whole nation," said Bush, according to published transcripts.
Bush's speech included a shout out to Bo Didley, the rock and roll singer who died of heart failure early this month.
"Bo was one of the pioneers of rock and roll. And during his more than five decades as a singer, songwriter and performer, he changed the face of music," said Bush.
The While House has a history of welcoming black entertainers.
In 1882, President Chester A. Arthur invited to the White House the first black choir ever to perform there—the Jubilee Singers from Fisk University in Tennessee. President Benjamin Harrison welcomed the daughter of a former slave—an opera singer named Sisseretta Jones. President Franklin Roosevelt called on the talented Marian Anderson to sing "Ave Maria" for the King and Queen of England. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter welcomed the legendary Chuck Berry in his first official celebration of Black Music Month at the White House.
Though not known for his cultural flair, Bush did manage to entertain on Tuesday with a self-deprecating joke.
"As a matter of fact, after The Temptations came here a couple of months ago, I was so inspired that I thought I would take up singing. Laura said, you might just stick with practicing your speaking," said Bush, to a laughing crowd.
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