Smokey Robinson tops White House concert

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. President Obama gave tribute to the founder of the Motown sound and its many stars during a Black History Month concert at the White House Thursday night.

Obama and first lady Michelle Obama introduced the night's lineup of performers -- Smokey Robinson, Natasha Bedingfield, Sheryl Crow, Jamie Foxx, Gloriana, Nick Jonas, Ledisi, John Legend, Seal, Jordin Sparks and Amber Riley and Mark Salling from the TV show "Glee."

"... And because we weren't sure that was enough, we thought we might throw Stevie Wonder in there," Obama said. "And obviously we are grateful for all the other Motown legends who are gracing us with their presence."

Keyboardist Greg Phillinganes was the night's musical director.

Motown founder Barry Gordy also was on hand and the president gave him a big send-up.

"As it turned out, Berry could recognize talent and potential better than anybody else in the business," Obama said, rattling off the many top performers Berry signed up and made stars.

"Black artists began soaring to the top of the pop charts for the first time. And at concerts in the South, Motown groups literally brought people together -- insisting that the ropes traditionally used to separate black and white audience members be taken down.

"So, today, more than 50 years later, that's the Motown legacy. Born at a time of so much struggle, so much strife, it taught us that what unites us will always be stronger than what divides us. And in the decades since, those catchy beats and simple chords have influenced generations of musicians, from Sheryl Crow to the Jonas Brothers."

Obama then got the night's music started by saying "let's take a trip back to that little studio in Detroit and enjoy the unmistakable sound of Motown."

The concert was taped in the White House East Room for broadcast on Public Broadcasting Service stations Tuesday.

Before the concert, the first lady greeted more than 100 students from California, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and Washington, D.C., in an arts-education workshop on Motown's history called "The Sound of Young America," the White House said.