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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
Entertainment
Asharq Al-Awsat

Elton John Sings at the White House

British rocker Elton John performs at the White House in Washington, U.S., September 23, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Elton John on Friday sang at the White House at the invitation of US President Joe Biden.

Dressed in a glittering black suit and wearing orange glasses, the 75-year-old pop icon sat down at the piano on the South Lawn of the White House, with the US presidential residence lit up in the background.

"I don't know what to say, what a dump," John joked as he took the stage to perform his 1970 hit "Your Song."

"I've played in some beautiful places before, but this is probably the icing on the cake."

About 2,000 guests were invited to the event, including activists, nurses, teachers and others. Also in attendance were Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai and former tennis champion and activist Billie Jean King, the White House said in a statement.

"It's clear Elton John's music has changed our lives," Biden said.

The singer spoke of the importance of fighting HIV/AIDS and thanked the United States for its role in battling the virus.

According to the White House, Friday's event was meant to celebrate the unifying power of music.

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