Barack Obama Sings Al Green at Apollo Fundraiser
Barack Obama stopped by the Apollo Theater on Thursday, performing a short rendition of an Al Green classic at a fund-raising event.
Obama appeared at the charity concert headlined by musicians the Rev. Al Green and India Arie where he sang parts of “Let’s Stay Together” on the microphone after speaking about admiration Green.
“Those guys didn’t think I would do it,” said Obama, whose vocal efforts were received by cheers. “I told you I was going to do it.”
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The U.S. president brought attention to the fact that “the sandman,” a character who escorted failing performers off of the Apollo stage on the show for amateur acts, did not appear to disprove of his vocal performance. However, Obama assured Rev. Green that he would not pursue a career path as a singer.
“The sandman did not come out,” Obama said. “Don’t worry Rev. I cannot sing like you, but I just wanted to show my appreciation.”
There were an estimated 1,400 supporters at the Apollo Theatre fundraiser, with ticket prices ranging from $100 and $5,000. The reportedly sold-out event also produced $25,000 VIP tickets.
Aside from supporters of the event, protesters were also in attendance outside of the theatre. Still, Harlem4Obama representative Chet Whye told the Huffington Post that the goal for the historically black New York City neighborhood of Harlem to see the president was met.
“We're excited," Whye said. "We really wanted an opportunity for people in Harlem to see the president and we got it."
Aside from attending the fundraising event, Obama revealed his first television advertisement for his 2012 campaign on Thursday. The video focuses on “secretive oil billionaires attacking Barack Obama" unfairly and how he “kept his promise to toughen ethics rules and strengthen America's energy economy.
