Re: [UC] Historical venues

[William H. Magill]

On 03 Jan, 2005, at 20:29, Wilma de Soto wrote:
"O-neh Tribal Members",
It's apparently spelled "Nya-wey" and means "thanks" in Seneca.
"Ees-da-sa-sussaway!" was also Seneca which meant roughly "Let's get 
started!"

For those of you who don't recognize what we're talking about, Chief 
Halftown was a 100% Seneca Indian (he hated the term Native American) 
who hosted "the longest running local TV children's show in the history 
of the world" (1950 - 1999) on WFIL-TV, which became WPVI.

He died in 2003.
http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/chief.html
T.T.F.N.
William H. Magill
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
.

Re: [UC] Historical venues

[Wilma de Soto]

Dear "Bill-o-phonic Bill"

Actually Dick Clark left us with Joe Grady and Ed Hurst at Steel Pier.  The
"Geator" was an upstart compared to them.

Philadelphia Personality Radio was one of the trendsetters in the US and
very famous.

People such as "Lloyd Fatman", Jerry Blavat (whom I first heard on WHAT-AM),
WDAS-AM's "Jocko" Henderson, and Georgie Woods ("The Guy With the Goods",
and early host of rock and roll marathon shows at the Uptown Theater), Jimmy
Bishop ("The Bishop of Soul", who took over from Georgie Woods at DAS and
the Uptown) and even Louise Williams were imitated on Wibbage (WIBG) and
WFIL Famous 56.

Hy Lit, Joe Niagara, Bill Wright Sr. and Jerry Stevens on Wibbage ("The Good
Guys") and "The Boss Jocks" Dr. Don Rose, Jim Nettleton, Dick Covington and
Jim O'Brien (later Weatherman on WPVI Action News) on WFIL Famous 56 were
inspired by the aforementioned radio personalities.

R & B and Rock and Roll Radio gained early fame in Philadelphia.  We were
early radio and TV pioneers. Even down to "The Little Rascals" shown on
Channel 12 during the late 50's featuring "Uncle" Pete Boyle, father of the
screen actor Peter Boyle who grew up at 50th & Osage Ave.

In 1948 there were only two CBS stations in the country; WCBS-Channel 2 NY,
and WCAU-Channel 10, Philadelphia.  I still get confused about which is CBS
or NBC even though Channel 3 has been KYW-TV for quite a while instead of
WRCV AND although I was born after American Bandstand began on Channel 6
(WFIL)

Philly Radio set the standard for Personality Radio around the country.
Unfortunately Personality Radio has been replaced by Corporate Format Radio,
except for rare Independent Stations.  Now everything everywhere sounds the
same.

Perhaps you are correct about the self-effacing mentality, but our
contributions should not be brushed aside so quickly.

"O-neh Tribal Members",

Wilma



On 1/3/05 11:49 AM, "William H. Magill" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> On 02 Jan, 2005, at 12:24, Wilma de Soto wrote:
>> Still, isn't there something to be said about saving these places
>> where so
>> many greats played?  Also, I feel the "Philadelphia Inferiority
>> Syndrome"
>> has contributed to the de-valuing and lack of marketing these
>> historical
>> musical treasures, don't you think?
>> 
>> I still wince when I think that "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" is in
>> Cleveland, Ohio (near where I went to college and a city that promotes
>> anything that moves), instead of Philadelphia.  What's wrong with this
>> picture?
> 
> Dick Clark moved to Hollywood and left us with Jerry Blavat!
> 
> Now, Jerry is a tremendous guy and all that, but he didn't have the
> following
> that even "Hisky" (Hyski-O-Roonie-McVouty-O-Zoot) had ... and neither
> matched
> "The Rockin' Bird," Joe Niagara. [At the time both were at WIBG while
> Jerry
> was at WCAM.] But the problem was, all three were strictly "local
> talent,"
> and radio to boot. Jerry tried to make the transition to Television
> with his
> "Discophonic Scene", but it simply never caught on.
> 
> ... and besides, by then (mid 1960's), the "pop music" world had moved
> to LA.
> 
> (Interestingly a "google search" for "geeter with the heater" yields up
> a DJ for Radio 1 - who, in the UK in 1967, apparently adopted Blavat's
> moniker "The "Geator with the Heater," the "Boss with the Hot Sauce"
> with his patter: "I am the Emperorthe geeter with the heater...")
> 
> It has been said many times by many different pundits --
> "Philadelphia suffers greatly from its self-effacing Quaker heritage."
> 
> As I recall, Philadelphia never even "bid" on hosting "The Rock and Roll
> Hall of Fame." (Or if it did, it was a typical "well, we have to do
> this,
> but we don't really believe in it" kind of bids.)
> 
> Even the Philadelphia Orchestra survives without much in the way of
> Community Support. It is far better known and held in much higher esteem
> virtually anywhere else around the world than in its home city.
> 
> One wonders how many on this list even know "The Sound of Philadelphia?"
> -- EITHER version ... Stokowski's or Gamble and Huff's.
> 
> Philadelphia's musical tradition is deep and broad ... or at least it
> was.
> http://www.philadelphiamusicalliance.com/
> 
> 
> [American Bandstand started with Bob Horn in 1952 on WFIL-TV. It was
> broadcast 5 days a week from the WFIL Studios, adjacent to the Arena,
> at 46th and Market Streets. Dick Clark took over in 1956 and Bandstand
> went nationwide, broadcast daily on ABC beginning in 1957, until Clark
> moved it to California and cut it back to one day a week in 1964.
> During its stint in Philadelphia, Bandstand virtually dictated the
> "tastes"
> for pop music and dance across the country!]
> 
> 
> T.T.F.N.
> William H. Magill
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 



You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see

Re: [UC] Historical venues

[Peter Coyle]

MFSB is the name of the instrumental,  G&H's studio guys were TSOP.
Was Stokowski's TSOP the one that Soul Train took for it's theme song?
HA, I jest.
If anyone needs to get in touch with their roots Soul Jazz Records has 
some amazing compilations.  The People's Choice, Brenda & the 
Tabulations, Lou Rawls, Panic Buttons, the Delfonics,  amazing stuff.

Ordering Philly music from England is ironic.
http://www.souljazzrecords.co.uk/
:pete
On Jan 3, 2005, at 11:49 AM, William H. Magill wrote:
One wonders how many on this list even know "The Sound of 
Philadelphia?"
-- EITHER version ... Stokowski's or Gamble and Huff's.

You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
.

Re: [UC] Historical venues

[William H. Magill]

On 02 Jan, 2005, at 12:46, Jayfar wrote:
On Sun, 2 Jan 2005, William H. Magill wrote:
By that measure, one of the most important historical locations in the
city is the old Second Fret on Sansom Street. Not only did it host 
Phil
Question: Is the 2nd fret the building at 1904 Sansom with the colored
terra cotta front that was a soul food luncheonette until the PPA 
bought
up that row of buildings. I've only been here 24 years, so I don't know
first hand, but the Daily News did a piece in the March 15, 2004 
edition
where they wrote that this was the case. On the other hand, the same DN
article, by Jonathan Takiff, gave the street address as 1902 Sansom, 
which
is a rear extension of the Sophy Curson shop.
I don't recall that it was ever a soul food luncheonette. I know that 
it had
been a law / architect office for a while.

I believe that 1902 is the correct address. The building is "obvious" 
by the
wrought iron spiral staircase visible through the window to the right of
the door. I think there are 3 remaining in the row there.

But yes, it is one of the buildings that the PPA wanted to demolish 
along
with the Rittenhouse Club, and others to build the Parking 
Garage/whatever
on Walnut Street. (Yes the Rittenhouse club is in the 1800 block and the
other properties in the 1900 block. There have been several major 
demolition
proposals for that area in recent years. I don't know if any of them are
still "alive" at the moment.

T.T.F.N.
William H. Magill
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
.

Re: [UC] Historical venues

[William H. Magill]

On 02 Jan, 2005, at 12:24, Wilma de Soto wrote:
Still, isn't there something to be said about saving these places 
where so
many greats played?  Also, I feel the "Philadelphia Inferiority 
Syndrome"
has contributed to the de-valuing and lack of marketing these 
historical
musical treasures, don't you think?

I still wince when I think that "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" is in
Cleveland, Ohio (near where I went to college and a city that promotes
anything that moves), instead of Philadelphia.  What's wrong with this
picture?
Dick Clark moved to Hollywood and left us with Jerry Blavat!
Now, Jerry is a tremendous guy and all that, but he didn't have the 
following
that even "Hisky" (Hyski-O-Roonie-McVouty-O-Zoot) had ... and neither 
matched
"The Rockin' Bird," Joe Niagara. [At the time both were at WIBG while 
Jerry
was at WCAM.] But the problem was, all three were strictly "local 
talent,"
and radio to boot. Jerry tried to make the transition to Television 
with his
"Discophonic Scene", but it simply never caught on.

... and besides, by then (mid 1960's), the "pop music" world had moved 
to LA.

(Interestingly a "google search" for "geeter with the heater" yields up
a DJ for Radio 1 - who, in the UK in 1967, apparently adopted Blavat's
moniker "The "Geator with the Heater," the "Boss with the Hot Sauce"
with his patter: "I am the Emperorthe geeter with the heater...")
It has been said many times by many different pundits --
"Philadelphia suffers greatly from its self-effacing Quaker heritage."
As I recall, Philadelphia never even "bid" on hosting "The Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame." (Or if it did, it was a typical "well, we have to do 
this,
but we don't really believe in it" kind of bids.)

Even the Philadelphia Orchestra survives without much in the way of
Community Support. It is far better known and held in much higher esteem
virtually anywhere else around the world than in its home city.
One wonders how many on this list even know "The Sound of Philadelphia?"
-- EITHER version ... Stokowski's or Gamble and Huff's.
Philadelphia's musical tradition is deep and broad ... or at least it 
was.
http://www.philadelphiamusicalliance.com/

[American Bandstand started with Bob Horn in 1952 on WFIL-TV. It was
broadcast 5 days a week from the WFIL Studios, adjacent to the Arena,
at 46th and Market Streets. Dick Clark took over in 1956 and Bandstand
went nationwide, broadcast daily on ABC beginning in 1957, until Clark
moved it to California and cut it back to one day a week in 1964.
During its stint in Philadelphia, Bandstand virtually dictated the 
"tastes"
for pop music and dance across the country!]

T.T.F.N.
William H. Magill
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
.

Re: [UC] Historical venues

[Jayfar]

On Sun, 2 Jan 2005, Charles H. Buchholtz wrote:

>From:  Wilma de Soto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Date:  Sun, 02 Jan 2005 12:24:51 -0500
> 
>Still, isn't there something to be said about saving these places where so
>many greats played?  Also, I feel the "Philadelphia Inferiority Syndrome"
>has contributed to the de-valuing and lack of marketing these historical
>musical treasures, don't you think?
> 
> Since you asked, I don't think it's possible to market these buildings
> as historical treasures.  Show of hands, here: how many of you have
> ever had visitors from out of town and said, "I want to show you
> Convention Hall and the Commercial Museum; so many important events
> took place there."

Such as the 1948 national convention of the Progressive Party.

The first keynote speech ever by an African-American at a national
political convention was delivered by Charles P. Howard at the 1948
Progressive Party convention that ratified the candidacy of Henry Wallace.
Howard's riveting speech is outlined in some detail in R. Craig Sautter's
book, "Philadelphia Presidential Conventions".

Howard, a lawyer, Publisher of the Des Moines Observer, and former
Republican leader, in a speech decrying the persistence of Jim Crow
America, accused President Truman of being "long on say-so and short on
do-so" regarding civil rights:

--quoting from Sautter's book--

The crowd of 16,000 chanted back, "Jim Crow must go, Jim Crow must go."  
Howard then challenged Truman to "Pick up your pen and and write. Write
the executive order which will abolish Jim Crow from the United States
Army." Truman did just that a few days later, showing how carefully he was
trying to undercut Wallace. "We have been blinded with promises for too
many years," Howard despaired. His remarks set off spirited cheers that
lasted several minutes.

--end quote--

There are more excerpts of Howard's speech in the book.
> 
> I have to say that a lot of this discussion sounds to me like people
> showing you their wedding album or vacation photos.  "Here's the place
> where I graduated from High School, and here's the place where I saw
> the Rolling Stones."

Or here's the place where thousands of Americans came together to denounce 
Jim Crow, and prodded President Truman into acting.

> It's interesting to people with a personal connection, or to historians,
> but not a big deal to anyone else.  I don't think it's possible to
> market successfully.

I would differ with you on marketing for the buildings themselves, but
that aside, what anyone marketing the city - whether for tourism,
attracting businesses, or enticing people to move here - promotes is not
focused on any one building nor even just buildings. I get the idea you're
not looking at the built city from a holistic perspective and are missing
a lot of important subleties.

Cheers,
Jayfar
-- 

PhilaDeco.com

http://PhilaDeco.com  AIM: PhilaDeco

Committee to Save Convention Hall fax bank
http://www.hallwatch.org/faxbank/conventionhall/






You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
.

Re: [UC] Historical venues

[Charles H. Buchholtz]

   From:  Wilma de Soto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
   Date:  Sun, 02 Jan 2005 12:24:51 -0500

   Still, isn't there something to be said about saving these places where so
   many greats played?  Also, I feel the "Philadelphia Inferiority Syndrome"
   has contributed to the de-valuing and lack of marketing these historical
   musical treasures, don't you think?

Since you asked, I don't think it's possible to market these buildings
as historical treasures.  Show of hands, here: how many of you have
ever had visitors from out of town and said, "I want to show you
Convention Hall and the Commercial Museum; so many important events
took place there."

I have to say that a lot of this discussion sounds to me like people
showing you their wedding album or vacation photos.  "Here's the place
where I graduated from High School, and here's the place where I saw
the Rolling Stones."  It's interesting to people with a personal
connection, or to historians, but not a big deal to anyone else.  I
don't think it's possible to market successfully.

So, maybe this discussion is like an old married couple, one of whom
says, "Why don't we throw out all those old photographs?  We never
look at them anymore and we need the space." and the other spouse
says, "We can't throw them out!  These are our history!"  Both points
are valid, but saying, "Maybe other people would like to come see our
old vacation photos, we just need better marketing" is a bit of a
stretch.

--- Chip

You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
.

Re: [UC] Historical venues

[Jayfar]

On Sun, 2 Jan 2005, William H. Magill wrote:

> On 02 Jan, 2005, at 10:59, Wilma de Soto wrote:
> > The Beatles played there in 1964 on their first American tour.  One 
> > would
> > think that would be a point to keep the building.  The Stones also 
> > played
> > there one one of their first American tours.  I am not certain, but I
> > venture that many other famous people either played there or spoke 
> > there.
> 
> But you will note that once those acts became famous, they never 
> returned to Convention Hall, it was just too small.

Different sized venues are appropriate for different purposes or different 
acts. BTW, the figure I saw for Convention Hall was somewhere on the order 
of 13,000+ seats; it's possible they may have removed some seating over 
the years in minor alterations though.

> 
> By that measure, one of the most important historical locations in the 
> city is the old Second Fret on Sansom Street. Not only did it host Phil 

Question: Is the 2nd fret the building at 1904 Sansom with the colored
terra cotta front that was a soul food luncheonette until the PPA bought
up that row of buildings. I've only been here 24 years, so I don't know
first hand, but the Daily News did a piece in the March 15, 2004 edition
where they wrote that this was the case. On the other hand, the same DN
article, by Jonathan Takiff, gave the street address as 1902 Sansom, which
is a rear extension of the Sophy Curson shop.

> And let's not forget the now abandoned Academy of 
> Music, home of that famous "Philadelphia Sound," yet to be re-created 
> in the new Kimmel Center.

Actually the Academy is far from abandoned; the Kimmel controls the
Academy of Music and is staging Broadway musicals there.

http://kimmelcenter.org/broadway/

In fact for that reason, the Kimmel fought against a Tax Increment
Financing package for Clear Channel's proposal to renovate the Boyd
Theatre. They feared that with CC's stated intention to also program
Broadway shows at the Boyd, the Academy would lose out.  Kimmel President
Janice Price was visibly distraught in testifying against Tax Increment
Financing for the Boyd at a City Council hearing in November 2003. Of
course since Kimmel Chairman Dan Whelan also sits on the Philadelphia
School Reform Commission, which has to sign off on any proposed TIF, the
TIF was DOA anyway, as the SRC failed to act on it.

Cheers,
Jayfar
-- 

PhilaDeco.com

http://PhilaDeco.com  AIM: PhilaDeco

Committee to Save Convention Hall fax bank
http://www.hallwatch.org/faxbank/conventionhall/



You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
.

Re: [UC] Historical venues

[Wilma de Soto]

You're right about Pennsylvania Hall being the place for the great descent
into The Flower Show.

The Arena had more than just boxing matches and roller derby after WFIL
moved from there.

I do remember seeing the Isley Brothers there in the 70's.  Other musical
acts played there as well, but yes it's big heyday was when American
Bandstand was there.

Still, isn't there something to be said about saving these places where so
many greats played?  Also, I feel the "Philadelphia Inferiority Syndrome"
has contributed to the de-valuing and lack of marketing these historical
musical treasures, don't you think?

I still wince when I think that "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" is in
Cleveland, Ohio (near where I went to college and a city that promotes
anything that moves), instead of Philadelphia.  What's wrong with this
picture?


On 1/2/05 11:59 AM, "William H. Magill" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> On 02 Jan, 2005, at 10:59, Wilma de Soto wrote:
>> The Beatles played there in 1964 on their first American tour.  One
>> would
>> think that would be a point to keep the building.  The Stones also
>> played
>> there one one of their first American tours.  I am not certain, but I
>> venture that many other famous people either played there or spoke
>> there.
> 
> But you will note that once those acts became famous, they never
> returned to Convention Hall, it was just too small.
> 
> By that measure, one of the most important historical locations in the
> city is the old Second Fret on Sansom Street. Not only did it host Phil
> Ochs, but also Bob Dylan, Joanie Mitchel, and so many, many others. And
> don't forget the Gilded Cage which was there first.
> 
> And of course there was the Trauma which opened with The Righteous
> Brothers.
> 
> And lets not forget the long departed Showboat where so many Jazz
> greats performed.
> 
>> I also loved the descent down the escalator into the Philadelphia
>> Flower
>> Show accompanied by the fragrance of hyacinths on a cold, sometimes
>> snowy
>> early Spring evening.  Entering the show at The Convention Center just
>> does
>> not have the same effect.
> 
> The escalator had nothing to do with either the Municipal Auditorium or
> Civic Center Museum. It was in the adjacent "annex" building which is
> now a major hole in the ground with a bunch of toy cars in it. But you
> are correct, the present mechanism for entering the Flower Show is not
> nearly as impressive.
> 
>> Another place that had lots of great acts was The Arena at 46th &
>> Market
>> which was consumed in a fire I believe.
> 
> The Arena, as a venue, died when WFIL (now WPVI) moved its studios to
> City Line Avenue, and no longer hosted American Bandstand there. I
> think the only thing which "survived" for long after the move was an
> assortment of boxing matches.
> 
> Of course, some of the more important venues now gone were the Old
> Music Fund Hall at 8th and Locust, now apartments; a plethora of "real
> theater" theaters, now all long gone, but which hosted every name star
> that the theater had to offer. I think the last one standing was at
> 21st and Market.  And let's not forget the now abandoned Academy of
> Music, home of that famous "Philadelphia Sound," yet to be re-created
> in the new Kimmel Center.
> 
> And who could forget the importance of the first IMAX theater at 6th
> and Vine -- now channel 12's studios.
> 
> And I'm not even moving beyond the bounds of Penn's Green Country Town
> to move north or South on Broad Street.
> 
> T.T.F.N.
> William H. Magill
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 
> 
> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
> .



You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
.

[UC] Historical venues

[William H. Magill]

On 02 Jan, 2005, at 10:59, Wilma de Soto wrote:
The Beatles played there in 1964 on their first American tour.  One 
would
think that would be a point to keep the building.  The Stones also 
played
there one one of their first American tours.  I am not certain, but I
venture that many other famous people either played there or spoke 
there.
But you will note that once those acts became famous, they never 
returned to Convention Hall, it was just too small.

By that measure, one of the most important historical locations in the 
city is the old Second Fret on Sansom Street. Not only did it host Phil 
Ochs, but also Bob Dylan, Joanie Mitchel, and so many, many others. And 
don't forget the Gilded Cage which was there first.

And of course there was the Trauma which opened with The Righteous 
Brothers.

And lets not forget the long departed Showboat where so many Jazz 
greats performed.

I also loved the descent down the escalator into the Philadelphia 
Flower
Show accompanied by the fragrance of hyacinths on a cold, sometimes 
snowy
early Spring evening.  Entering the show at The Convention Center just 
does
not have the same effect.
The escalator had nothing to do with either the Municipal Auditorium or 
Civic Center Museum. It was in the adjacent "annex" building which is 
now a major hole in the ground with a bunch of toy cars in it. But you 
are correct, the present mechanism for entering the Flower Show is not 
nearly as impressive.

Another place that had lots of great acts was The Arena at 46th & 
Market
which was consumed in a fire I believe.
The Arena, as a venue, died when WFIL (now WPVI) moved its studios to 
City Line Avenue, and no longer hosted American Bandstand there. I 
think the only thing which "survived" for long after the move was an 
assortment of boxing matches.

Of course, some of the more important venues now gone were the Old 
Music Fund Hall at 8th and Locust, now apartments; a plethora of "real 
theater" theaters, now all long gone, but which hosted every name star 
that the theater had to offer. I think the last one standing was at 
21st and Market.  And let's not forget the now abandoned Academy of 
Music, home of that famous "Philadelphia Sound," yet to be re-created 
in the new Kimmel Center.

And who could forget the importance of the first IMAX theater at 6th 
and Vine -- now channel 12's studios.

And I'm not even moving beyond the bounds of Penn's Green Country Town 
to move north or South on Broad Street.

T.T.F.N.
William H. Magill
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
.