PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Traffic stopped outside of the Kimmel Center along Broad Street on Wednesday as eight of the city’s biggest names in music received their place in Philly history.
Earl Young strutted his stuff in a bright pink suit beside his plaque on the Philadelphia Music Alliance’s Walk of Fame as one of eight 2026 inductees.
“Look, I’m here at 86 years old, and I’m still, Burn, baby burn, that disco inferno,” said Young, who received a lifetime achievement award as the legendary drummer of the Trammps.
Hip-hop pioneer Lady B was also honored. Her friend and mentor, Mimi Brown, remarked on the glass ceilings she broke through in the music industry.
“When it comes to women, she was the first woman to ever have a rap record,” Brown said.
Representing the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra was 102-year-old Marshall Allen, who recently became the oldest artist to release a solo debut.
“It’s a wonderful feeling,” he said. “I started out trying to wake the people up to the space age.”
Inductee Pablo Batista, an award-winning percussionist who has toured with Grover Washington Jr. and Alicia Keys, among others, teared up a bit, calling the ceremony a full-circle moment for all of them.
“A lot of love in the room, so I’m super excited and proud,” he said, “because I’ve been working with a lot of these people for decades — recordings, experiences, tours and gigs. I’m overwhelmed.”
Also inducted were Philadelphia Orchestra music director Yannick Néget-Séguin, multi-instrumentalist Adam Blackstone, “Gospel Queen of Radio” Louise Williams Bishop, Broadway star Hugh Panaro and the Philadelphia Boys Choir.