Many former presidents played musical instruments. A few were accomplished musicians who wrote songs. On this President’s Day 2021, let’s strike up the band!
On Violin and Cello — Thomas Jefferson
“Jefferson loved music, He learned to to play the violin, and by age fourteen he was capable of writing tunes. Years later he recalled that as a young man he regularly practiced up to three hours a day. Unfortunately, he fractured his right wrist in 1786, and his playing was severely curtailed thereafter. The large library of music he eventually collected, contained works by old masters.” LINK
On Banjo — Chester Authur
It’s too bad that YouTube wasn’t around back in Chester Authur’s time. Imagine all the catchy banjo chestnuts we’d be rabbit-holing at night chasing the 21st president’s musical hit parade.
On Tuba — Warren Harding
Harding was one of America’s worst presidents, but was indisputably the most musically gifted of the 46. He played many musical instruments though his specialty was the sousaphone, which is a tuba that wraps around the body making it easier to carry in marching bands. Before going into national politics Harding played in the Caledonia Silver Cornet Band and later performed at his own presidential nomination. LINK
On Piano (and Songwriter) — Richard Nixon
Nixon took piano lessons as a young boy and played often during most of his life. He even performed regularly at the White House and around the country at every opportunity. Nixon’s most famous piano recitals were a tribute to Duke Ellington (1971), and appearance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville (1972), and a duet with Ella Fitzgerald (1974). He also composed several short classic piano concertos. Here’s Nixon playing piano on The Jack Parr Show shortly after he lost the presidential race to John F. Kennedy in 1961. He also played accordion and violin.
On Piano — Harry Truman
Truman came from humble roots. He was one of the few presidents who didn’t attend college, but he was so worldly in other ways. He played the piano as a boy and jumped in front of the ivories whenever given the opportunity. Truman played the piano regularly in the White House. This photo taken right after World War II ended in 1945 caused quite a stir, showing Truman and actress Lauren Bacall sitting on the piano at the National Press Club in Washington.
On Saxophone — Bill Clinton
“Clinton played saxophone well enough to win first chair in his all-state band and consider music as a career. By 16, however, he had set his sites on elective office. He continued to practice saxophone daily. As a Presidential candidate in 1992, he appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show and played “Heartbreak Hotel” with the show’s band, wearing wraparound sunglasses and a much more colorful tie than most politicians of the time.” LINK
On Vocals — Barack Obama
Obama famously sang “Amazing Grace” for a nation in mourning following a horrific 2015 mass shooting at a church in South Carolina, words and melody which undoubtedly provided comfort to many. He also recited a few lines of an old Al Green classic at the Apollo Theater in New York while running for re-election. But this short video clip during a 2012 tribute to blues legends at the White House with B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Mick Jagger shows an unrehearsed joy and love of music.
Album Cover Design — Dwight D. Esidenhower
Every successful band needs its artistic designer. Eisenhower didn’t start painting until the age of 58. He began his amateur craftsmanship by tracing images from magazines and photographs, eventually branching out into landscapes and portraits. Eisenhower completed more than 300 sketches and paintings, mostly completed during the last 20 years of his life. LINK
The Sleazy Promoter — Donald J. Trump
Just because every band has a douchebag promoter who ends up stealing all the money.