He was surprised to get a request to perform at the 2005 presidential inauguration. “When I received the invitation to perform at the White House, I thought it had to be a mistake,” says the gay icon, who recently made waves sharing stories of wild parties with Paris Hilton’s parents before the frequently-troubled socialite was born.
“But it wasn’t.” While some people with liberal leanings might have declined the offer, Jones relished the chance to sing for President Bush and his Republican supporters. He dedicated his medley of the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” theme and “Y.M.C.A.” to the president — “not the person,” Jones clarifies, to “the office” and to his partner.
“There I was, singing to the very same people who have since tried to pass a constitutional amendment to make me a second-class citizen because I’ve been married to a man for the last 24 years,” Jones says.
“I decided to treat them with my sharpest, most effective weapon — my music.” The lasting effect of the Village People’s catalog is why the American Music Award-winner, who with the group sold more than 100 million records, frequently includes those songs while performing material from his latest solo album, “Ticket to the World.” It’s an easy fit, since the 2007 release pays homage to his roots.