The sounds of Philly are epic. We’ve launched opera singers, jazz musicians, and rock ’n’ rollers; have been the homes of blues singers and gospel greats; recorded everyone from David Bowie to Grover Washington to Cypress Hill. We have the Hooters. Patti LaBelle. The Roots.
And now, thanks to the 39-year-old Philadelphia Music Alliance, we have our own version of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony: A gala to honor local musical heroes with a brass star on Broad Street.
This year’s gala, on April 30 at Vie on North Broad Street, will honor (among others) the Eagles’ Jordan Mailata on behalf of The Philly Specials, and will feature a 40th anniversary celebration of Live Aid, organized by musician Sir Bob Geldof and Electric Factory Concerts founder (and Citizen of the Year Lifetime Achievement honoree) Larry Magid. There will be a salute to legendary jazz clubs and a special live performance by The Hooters, the 80s pop band that still puts on a rocking show. WMGK morning DJ Matt Cord will host.
The other honorees are:
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- Stephen Sondheim
- Janis Ian
- Schooly D
- David Ludwig
- David Dye
- The Orlons
- Settlement Music School
The last gala, in 2023, was packed with music fans, there to celebrate The Bacon Brothers and Tony-winning actor and vocalist Leslie Odom, Jr. of Hamilton fame. Among the highlights: Larry Magid reminiscing with Kevin Bacon about all those times in the 70s Magid caught an underaged Bacon in the Electric Factory and had to send him home. This year, you can expect more private memories about entertainment giants — along with the chance to hobnob with legends of Philly sound.
As Magid notes in the preface to an upcoming book about Philly music: “When I learned that an especially good singer or musician was from Philadelphia — the city I love — I became more excited, and my pride swelled.”
Indeed.
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