James Brown, the 72-year-old soul legend, has invited Estonian President Arnold Rüütel to sing a duet with him when Brown performs in Tallinn on July 27th. Mr. Rüütel refused, not because he is a stiff white guy without rhythm and soul, but because he will be on a tour of Estonia that day. Many in Estonia hoped Messrs. Rüütel and Brown would perform “Make it Funky,” “Hot Pants,” or “I Feel Like Being a Sex Machine.”
The Estonian tabloid, Kroonika, reported that three years ago Brown sang a duet with Finnish President Tarja Halonen at Pori Jazz. Halonen has been invited to perform with Brown this year in Tallinn, though we are not yet aware of her answer.