Dmitry Medvedev invites rock band Smokie to Kremlin Dinner

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Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has invited British rock band Smokie to play at a Kremlin dinner.

Medvedev, who is a fan of British rock has previously had English rockers Deep Purple over for tea and buns in 2011 and told U2’s Bono that he liked Led Zeppelin.

West Yorkshire 70s act Smokie performed four songs at the exclusive party in Moscow on 30 December while guests dined on octopus carpaccio, baked veal and pannacotta, the Daily Mail reported.

Several hundred of Russia’s elite watched the band, whose song Pass it Around was banned from Radio One in 1975 because of alleged drugs references.

“It was very highbrow. There wasn’t any dancing in the aisles,” the Guardian quoted bassist Terry Uttley as telling.

“I think Medvedev and Putin were at the first table in front of the guitar player, although I couldn’t be certain,” added Uttley.

Smokie had just finished a Russian tour when they got the invitation in December, according to manager John Wagstaff.

He said their song What Can I Do remains particularly popular in the country, with students turning it into a drinking song called 'Vodka I Do'.