June 10, 2012 - 16:46 AMT
D'Angelo makes 1st U.S. appearance since 2000

D'Angelois back.

The reclusive R&B singer made his first live U.S. appearance in 12 years at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival early Sunday, June 10 morning, surprising a few thousand fans during Ahmir "Questlove"Thompson's Superjam session, The Associated Press reported.

"I've been waiting 12 years to say this, ladies and gentlemen, D'Angelo!," Thompson said as the crowd roared.

It was his first U.S. show since 2000 and a prelude to an appearance at July's Essence Music Festival and a European tour with many of the same players who backed him Sunday morning. D'Angelo played live in Europe earlier this year.

D'Angelo and his all-star band powered through a 90-minute jam session Sunday morning that included Jimi Hendrix's "Have You Ever Been to Electric Ladyland," Parliament Funkadelic's "Funky Dollar Bill," Led Zeppelin's "What Is and What Should Never Be" and The Beatles' "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window," but no new music.

D'Angelo worked from lyric sheets and the band put together a six-hour practice session Saturday before The Roots, Thompson's regular band, played a gig on Bonnaroo's biggest stage.