On Saturday, July 22, the Godfather of Soul had his star placed with others honoring Cincinnati music legends Philippé Wynne, who sang lead in The Spinners, and Louise Shropshire who penned the lyrics of the iconic civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.” Babyface’s original R&B group The Deele also received a star for their musical contributions and ties to the city.
Coming on the heels of Black Tech Week and the annual Cincinnati Music Festival (aka Jazz Fest,) the new Walk of Fame adds to the culture of Black excellence the entire city takes pride in celebrating.
“What I love about the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame is that it brings all those pieces together,” Hamilton County Commissioner Reece told BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“When this wonderful weekend is over, the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame becomes a permanent fixture that people can go to 365 days.”
It was a labor of love for Commissioner Reece who takes pride in the interactive features incorporated into the Walk of Fame.
“When you talk about Black Tech Week and you talk about the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, which is using technology to bridge the generational gap, you start talking about jobs, you start talking about being futuristic,” she said.
Courtesy of Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame- by Kevin J. Watkins
The new Walk of Fame takes visitors on an interactive trip through time with some of Cincy’s most iconic music stars. Visitors can play songs from Ohio music legends like Philippé Wynne and John Legend, film a dance cameo with Bootsy Collins and Penny Ford, or play the drums with Hi-Tek.
But as a Cincinnati native and Black music legend, Bootsy needed little convincing to get involved early on.
“This is something I definitely want to commit my time to. It was right on time,” Collins said.
Courtesy of Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame- by Kevin J. Watkins
Now, the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame can add to what the city has to offer.
“It creates the springboard for jobs for a tourism attraction because make no mistake about it, the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame is a tourism attraction,” Commissioner Reece said.
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Source: Black Enterprise
