Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, above, in Moscow this month, delighted guests at a fundraiser by singing a Fats Domino hit. (Anja Niedringhaus/Associated Press)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir found his thrill Friday night singing Blueberry Hill at a star-studded fundraising gala in St. Petersburg.

London's Daily Mail reported that when urged to take the stage by the event's host, Putin said, "Like the majority of people, I can neither sing nor play, but I very much like doing it."

The 58-year-old former president and ex-KGB agent then went to the grand piano and played the opening notes of Blueberry Hill before taking the microphone and singing the Fats Domino hit.

Guests at the event — among them actors Sharon Stone, Kevin Costner, Mickey Rourke and Gérard Depardieu — swayed in their seats and clapped in appreciation.

Putin's spokesman later said the prime minister learned the lyrics to Blueberry Hill as part of his English-language studies.

He said Putin has started taking music lessons, adding piano to his accomplishments, which include judo, flying fighter jets and shooting tigers.

The evening's entertainment also included a dance number by Stone to singing by Paul Anka, and a reading by Depardieu of a poem by acclaimed Russian poet Sergei Yesenin.

The group then visited the Russian Museum for an exclusive after-midnight tour.

Putin regularly socializes with celebrities. He recently met Leonardo DiCaprio in St. Petersburg at a forum to protect wild tigers.

Both Putin and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev have said they do not rule out taking part in the 2012 presidential election.

"Medvedev will now have to learn to play the saxophone," said a participant at Friday's event who declined to be identified.