Walk of Fame with the Hooters and more
Today the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame will add 7 more honorees as the Philadelphia Music Alliance pays tribute to those who have made a major mark with music.
I’ll be out at noon today to report on this unveiling of the plaques that will go on the Avenue of the Arts. The celebration will be at Broad and Spruce Streets. I will go live on my “Cyndy Drue, DJ” Facebook page in the 12 noon hour. Tune in!
Here are the honorees going onto the Walk of Fame today:
The Hooters will be inducted by Todd Rundgren tonight at the Gala at the Bellevue that follows the Walk of Fame ceremony. Songwriters Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilian were already inducted into the Walk of Fame in the year 2000 but today it’s the whole band. Whether you saw them first at Grendal’s Lair on South Street, the Cabarets, the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, the Spectrum or at JFK Stadium to open Live Aid, The Hooters always deliver, both live and on record. And the nice thing is, they still live here. Debbi Calton spoke to Rob Hyman about this honor here.
Dorrance “Dodo” Hamilton (of the Campbell Soup family) left an indelible mark on the Philadelphia music community. Over the span of her lifetime, she donated more than $47 million to a diverse group of arts institutions and organizations including the Philadelphia Orchestra, and over $8 million to the University of the Arts for music scholarships, part of a total of more than $50 million in gifts to the University.
Jody Gerson is Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group and grew up in Penn Valley, Pa. Under her leadership, UMPG has signed and extended deals with Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Billie Eilish and many more. Concert promoter Larry Magid will induct Jody tonight at the Gala.
Pierre Robert, the beloved mid-day DJ at WMMR came to Philadelphia from San Francisco in 1981 and is one of the most recognized personalities in the city. His passion for the music he plays is evident both on the airwaves and out at rock shows. Matt Cord, BEN-FM morning DJ and 76ers announcer will induct his friend.
The O’Jays spent time in Philly with the famous producers Gamble and Huff who will be at the Gala tonight to induct them. Their tons of hits include For the love of money, Backstabbers, Love Train.
Evelyn “Champagne” King. Legend has it she was working as a cleaning woman at Philadelphia’s Sigma Studios, and singing “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Well known producer, singer, and songwriter for many artists in Philadelphia T. (Theodore) Life, heard her singing, decided to sign her to his own production deal and her career was launched. She is best known for the disco dance smash hit “Shame.”
The Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the preeminent orchestras in the world and a no-brainer to get into the Walk of Fame. Again, tune into Cyndy Drue, DJ facebook page at 12 noon for some live coverage.
