Obama sings the praises of Dundee soul band

Barack Obama has revealed he is a fan of Dundee soul group the Average White Band.

The former US president told how he loved listening to the band while growing up and described them as “outstanding”.

The soul and funk band, formed in 1972 by friends who met at a Dundee art college, gained worldwide success including a number one hit in the US with Pick Up The Pieces.

Obama brought up the band in an episode of his podcast series with American music legend Bruce Springsteen.

During a discussion about the racial make-up of groups, Obama, 59, told Springsteen he was not aware his E Street Band had black members when he was young but he knew the Average White Band had an allwhite line-up.

He said: “I didn’t know that. I hate to date you brother but I was in high school. I didn’t know you had a half-white, half-black band.

“Not only did you not have the internet and video but music was still categorised.

“I knew the Average White Band was all white. Those are some Scottish guys and those guys could jam by the way.

“I loved them, loved them. They were outstanding.”

Born To Run singer Springsteen, 71, also said he was a fan of the band’s music.

Fans of the Average White Band were delighted they got a name-check from the former White House chief.

The band was formed by Alan Gorrie, Roger Ball and Malcolm “Molly” Duncan and are one of the most sampled in music history – used by the likes of the Beastie Boys, TLC and Ice Cube.