US citizens may argue over the merits of Richard Nixon as head of state - far be it from me to comment from this side of the pond. But IMHO it stands to Nixon's eternal credit that he threw a 70th birthday party in the White House for Duke Ellington, and played "Happy Birthday" on the piano himself.

It seems a pity that no subsequent President has done the same for Pete Seeger, or Doc Watson, or ... name your own favourite candidate.

Wassail!