Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Set sights on music if in Philly
PHILADELPHIA — It’s not easy for music fans to explore Philadelphia’s vast and rich musical legacy, but you can cobble together a do-it-yourself tour of the sights, sounds and neighborhoods that nurtured talent. Here are some spots to swing by. (Not all are open to the public.)
■ Marian Anderson Historical Residence Museum, 762 S. Martin St. The contralto was the first black person to sing at New York’s Metropolitan Opera. The museum is in the house she bought in 1924. It contains photos, books, memorabilia and films, and also supports an artists-in-residence program. Open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Saturday. marianandersonhistoricalsociety.weebly.com
■ Mario Lanza Institute and Museum, 712 Montrose St. The museum houses a variety of memorabilia from the beloved tenor. Open by appointment only; deposit required at least two weeks in advance.
■ Sigma Sound Studios, 212 N. 12th St. The studio founded in 1968 by engineer Joe Tarsia helped create “The Sound of Philadelphia” — rich layers of vocals and orchestral arrangements, often echoing with a political message. It churned out hits like The Trammps’ “Disco Inferno” and The Three Degrees’ “When Will I See You Again.” Many Gamble and Huff hits were recorded at Sigma, including The O’Jays’ “Love Train.” David Bowie recorded portions of his 1975 album Young Americans there. The studio is expected to become residential space; the exterior remains.
■ The Uptown Theater, 2240 N. Broad St. The Uptown rivaled New York’s Apollo theater, and was a major stop on the “Chitlin Circuit” — a network of clubs and theaters with mostly black owners and audiences during segregation. Guided tours by appointment only, (215) 236-1878.
■ Site of American Bandstand, 4548 Market St. Dick Clark hosted the wildly popular American Bandstand show at WFIL-TV in west Philadelphia in the 1950s and ’60s. It became a cultural touchstone for teenagers to hear the newest pop music and see the latest dance craze. The building now houses a small business development center, but the studio is still intact with the original lighting and memorabilia.
■ The John Coltrane House, 1511 N. 33rd St. The renowned sax player lived here from 1952 to 1958. The house became a national historic landmark in 1999 but has fallen into disrepair.
■ The Showboat/Bijou, 1409 Lombard St. The Showboat was a tiny club in the basement of the Douglass Hotel. The club hosted greats like Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk. In 1963 John Coltrane recorded Live at the Showboat there. It was later renamed The Bijou Cafe, which became a hot spot for up-and-coming artists, including U2 and Prince. But there’s no longer public access to the basement.
■ Philadelphia International Records, 309 Broad St. It’s now an empty lot, but visitors with keen imaginations can envision the building where Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff collaborated on hits like the O’Jays’ “Love Train,” Billy Paul’s “Me and Mrs. Jones” and McFadden & Whitehead’s “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.”