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It seems as if all of pop music royalty has descended upon Washington, D.C., this week to sing the praises of Obamalot. Bono, Springsteen, Mary J. Blige, and practically every other popular recording artist sang at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday afternoon. Beyonce has the honor of singing for the Obamas' first dance at the Inaugural Ball. Musicians have come a long way toward becoming part of the political "establishment."

But there was a time, not so long ago‚ when entertainers and the White House didn't mix so well. Their encounters either led to a public relations meltdown (for either the President or the musician) or, at the very least, an awkward photo op.

As we celebrate the rise of musicians to near Cabinet-level status, here's a reminder of the days when politicians and pop culture icons made for strange bedfellows. Personally, I hope some rocker gets caught doing something naughty in Obama's White House, just for old times' sake. Maybe Amy Winehouse will show up with a bottle of Jack looking for an honorary DEA job.

Check out the complete Musicians at the White House photo gallery here.

GRACE SLICK
The Jefferson Airplane lead singer was a famous anti-war advocate, open drug user, and general counter-culture poster child. So why was she invited to Nixon's White House for tea in 1969? Slick and Nixon's daughter Tricia went to college together, and the tea party was for college alums. Slick arrived with Yippie activist Abbie Hoffman, and they both planned on spiking the President's tea with LSD. Unfortunately, the pair was turned away at the White House gate. Bummer. Nixon tripping? We'd pay to see that.

ELVIS PRESLEY
On December 20, 1970, Elvis Presley met with Tricky Dick in the Oval Office. The King was visibly hopped up on something, but that didn't stop him from asking the Prez if he could be named "Federal Agent at Large" to the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Wonder why? Oh, he also brought Nixon a handgun as a gift. There are lots of TV sets in the White House to shoot.

MICHAEL JACKSON
Jacko has hung with two Presidents: Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. I'm pretty sure neither one of them knew the first thing about him. President Bush gave the King of Pop props for having a "tremendous following." Among other things...

BARBRA STREISAND
A lifelong liberal, Babs was a frequent visitor of the White House Lincoln bedroom during the Clinton years. That is until the First Lady allegedly banned her after learning she had stayed alone with Bubba while Hillary was in Arkansas with her dying father. "Bubba and Babs." It's got a nice ring to it.

RICKY MARTIN
The former Menudo heartthrob famously, and shamelessly, backed W.'s Presidency, and the photo of Martin and Bush dancing onstage at the Inaugural ball is one of the more embarrassing politician/entertainer meetings of recent times. Flash forward to 2007, and Ricky is performing in Puerto Rico. During his song "Asignatura Pendiente," he flips his middle finger while singing the line "a photo with Bush." So much for party loyalty.

JAMES BROWN
In December 2003 W. gave the Godfather of Soul an award for his "contribution to U.S. culture." When asked how he felt getting the award, Brown quoted his famous song by saying, "I feel good." He felt so good that less than a month later, he was arrested for domestic violence. Not quite the contribution to culture we were thinking.

BONO
The part-time U2 frontman and full-time activist has said that he's willing to get in bed with anyone if it means helping the people of Africa. It's hard to knock such a noble pursuit. Still, photos like this one don't do much for maintaining rock cred. We'll see how many politicos are in the front row during U2's next tour.

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