ABOVE PHOTO: Mayor Nutter and Cong. Bob Brady make their way down the line!
(Photo by Bill Z. Foster)
Philadelphia honored the man behind the “hippest trip in America,” when 300+ arrived at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Feb. 13, Monday afternoon breaking the world record for largest Soul Train line. Included in this ‘stone gas’ event was Mayor Michael Nutter, Cong. Bob Brady, Sheriff Jewell Williams (replete with afro), radio personalities and Soul Train Line organizers Dyana Williams and Mannwell Glenn, and Councilwoman Cindy Bass.
Radio One and event organizers envision the occasion as a way to commemorate the passing of Soul Train creator Don Cornelius — as well as offer a time for local Soul Train fans to gather, express ‘Philadelphia love’ and honor the city’s own special place in soul music history.
The world-record commemoration was sparked on Facebook, where interest in organizing such an attempt in Philadelphia went viral, at the same time WRNB radio personality Dyana Williams began organizing a similar tribune on-air and in-market . The past record – of 211 people –was held by a group of high school students, staff and alumni in Berkley, Calif.
PHOTO: CBS Philly anchor Natasha Brown, E. Steven Collins and Dyana Williams
(Photo by Bill Z. Foster)
“Philadelphia, The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection is a grand music mecca, as well as the birthplace of the Soul Train theme written by the legendary duo of Gamble & Huff,” Dyana Williams, co-Host of Soulful Sunday 100.3 WRNB-FM Radio One said, “With the World’s Largest Soul Train Line this coming Monday, we will honor the legacy and indelible cultural impression left on billions by Don Cornelius and Soul Train!”
“Considering how Philly responded to events like Live Aid, Unity Day, Million Woman March, Welcome America and our normal annual events, I thought 211 – we can do that,” said radio host Manwell Glenn, on whose Facebook page the idea took hatch. “It’s Soul Train and Don Cornelius. Everybody wants to get involved.”
Local illustrator Mark G. was on hand with two beautiful drawing cards of Cornelius and Pop superstar Whitney Houston for people to sign and express their condolences in their respective memories.
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