While “Gonna Fly Now” from “Rocky” and "Yo Home to Bel-Air" from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” are songs that are synonymous with Philadelphia, the sound of Philly is much more than just these two tracks.
Did you know that “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” was written by a Philadelphian? How about the fact that Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the “Godmother of Rock 'n’ Roll,” lived in North Philly?
“The Philadelphia Music Book: Sounds of a City” shines a light on Philly’s deep musical history and its contributions to the world of sound. The 400-page book is the brainchild of Larry Magid, legendary local producer, concert promoter, and co-founder of the Electric Factory. With research from 13 writers, it’s chock-full of stories about everyone from the musicians and songwriters to the business leaders and disc jockeys who make up the city's musical legacy.
“It's important for as many Philadelphians [as possible] to understand what has come out of this city and what the city offers,” Magid said. “...it's a book of hope as well as a book of expression, where we show that a lot of the great musicians that have come out of this city came from meager backgrounds.”
The book transports the reader through time, flashing back to the early years of colonial Philadelphia through the 19th century, before catching up to the modern day. One of these early contributors to the burgeoning American music scene was Benjamin Carr, known as the “Father of Philadelphia Music” and regarded as one of the best-known songwriters from America's early years.
“I knew a bit about the classical world, but not nearly enough,” Magid said. “The amazing amount of jazz musicians that have had national and international impact that have come from here, lived here…I can't imagine many cities in the world having as many great jazz musicians as [those] that have come from Philadelphia."
These musical artists include Butch Ballard, a local jazz legend from Frankford who engaged in civic activism when he wasn't performing; Dizzy Gillespie, a trumpet player who co-developed the genre known as bebop; and Nina Simone, whose controversial rejection from the Curtis Institute led her down a path that may have been the jumping-off point for her successful career.
It's clear to Magid that Philadelphia’s musical legacy is marked by breaking new ground, which is why he isn’t worried about Philly’s place in the ever-evolving music scene.
“We're always going to have a voice in popular music, whatever form that takes,” Magid said. “If jazz makes a comeback, we're right there. Classical and opera as well, because we have these great institutions like the Philadelphia Orchestra and Opera Philadelphia. I think it's unlimited who we're going to give to the world.”
To learn more about Philly’s music history, you can purchase “The Philadelphia Music Book: Sounds of a City” for $49.95, with royalties benefitting Philadelphia Music Alliance. If you want to hear from Magid directly, he's speaking at an author talk tomorrow night in Center City.
