Obama Serenades Crowd At Charity Event

U.S. President Barack Obama showed off his singing skills on Thursday (19Jan12) by serenading the audience at a charity fundraiser with Al Green's classic Let's Stay Together.

The president was a guest at the event at New York's Apollo Theatre on Thursday night during a trip to the Big Apple, and he stunned attendees with his impromptu performance.

After crooning the famous opening line to the track, Obama told the crowd his aides had doubted he would burst into song at the event, saying, "Those guys didn't think I would do it! I told you I was gonna do it!"

A spokesman for the venue tells the New York Daily News, "We're so honoured. It's the first time we've ever had a sitting president at the Apollo".

Earlier in the day, Obama joined another fundraising dinner at moviemaker Spike Lee's New York home, where guests included Mariah Carey and her husband Nick Cannon.

In a post on Twitter.com, the Hero hitmaker later told of her joy at dining with the U.S. leader, writing, "Just left dinner with President Obama. Beyond inspiring. Thank you Mr - Mrs Spike Lee!".

Cannon adds, "Wow! Just left dinner with the President Barack Obama very inspiring! Thank you to Mr and Mrs Spike Lee for hosting at their home".