Music Groups That Have Performed at the White House
Contents
A look at some of the music groups that have performed at the White House over the years, including the Beach Boys, the Boss, and more.
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The group, whose best-known line-up comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, are regarded as the most influential band of all time. With a sound rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock and roll, they later utilised several genres, ranging from pop ballads to psychedelic and hard rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. During their time as a band, they toured extensively and released many commercially successful albums.
1964 performance
The Beatles performed at the White House on February 12, 1964, during their first United States tour. magazine, President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird Johnson, hosted a reception for the band in the East Room following their performance. At the reception, Johnson presented the group with gold records for their albums “Meet The Beatles!” and “The Beatles’ Second Album.”
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin was an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. The band’s heavy, guitar-driven sound has led them to be cited as one of the progenitors of heavy metal.
1972 performance
In 1972, Led Zeppelin was invited to perform at the White House by President Richard Nixon. The concert was held in the East Room and was attended by approximately 300 people, including members of Congress and their families. The set list included classics such as “Stairway to Heaven” and “Whole Lotta Love.” After the performance, the band was given a tour of the White House by Nixon himself. This was not the first time a rock band had been invited to perform at the White House, but it was certainly the most high-profile event of its kind at that time.
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The group’s original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine. The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the world’s best-selling bands of all time. They have had 56 songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100, of which 30 were in the top 10.
1982 performance
On September 16, 1982, the Beach Boys performed for President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan at a White House reception honoring Elizabeth Taylor. The Reagans were close friends of Taylor, and the President had previously invited her to the White House on several occasions. The Beach Boys’ performance was part of a star-studded event that included appearances by several other celebrities, including Liza Minnelli, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra.
The Beach Boys’ set list for the event included their hit singles “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “Fun, Fun, Fun,” as well as a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Rock Around the Clock.” The group’s performance was well-received by the crowd, and they received a standing ovation at the end of their set.
After their performance, the Beach Boys posed for a photo with the Reagans and Taylor. The photo was later published in Time magazine, and it became one of the most iconic images of the Reagan presidency.
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi, pianist and keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, lead guitarist Phil X, and bassist Hugh McDonald. The band’s world tour, Bon Jovi Live, began on February 8, 2013, in Seattle, Washington.
2010 performance
On May 14, 2010, Bon Jovi performed at a White House reception honoring military mothers hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama. They performed “Wanted Dead or Alive” and “Who Says You Can’t Go Home”.
Metallica
2014 performance
Metallica was one of several music groups that performed at the White House in 2014. The event, which was held in the East Room, also featured performances by Buddy Guy, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, and Al Green.
