The Sounds of Philadelphia: The Power of Music

As part of its commitment to community, WXPN partnered with the Mural Arts Program (MAP) in 2004 to create the Sounds of Philadelphia mural series, designed to celebrate Philadelphia’s diverse music legacy. This mural series pays tribute to both Philadelphia’s musical heritage and the growing cultural influence of music in the region (see www.xpn.org/soundsofphiladelphia.php).

The three interior murals in the lobby of 3025 Walnut Street, the home of WXPN and World Cafe Live represent the first installment in the series. These murals were designed and created by master muralists Parris Stancell and Paul Santoleri (see Almanac October 5, 2004).

More Musical Murals: The five remaining murals in the series will be created and dedicated by the summer of 2006. This past weekend, the first of the five was dedicated, during Mural Arts Month (see www.muralarts.org). South Philadelphia Musicians (above) by artist Peter Pagast is located at 1231-33 East Passyunk Avenue. The South Philadelphia Musicians mural celebrates Philly’s own musicians of the Bandstand era including Frankie Avalon, Chubby Checker, Al Martino, Bobby Rydell, Fabian, Eddie Fisher, as well as “The Geator with the Heater,” Jerry Blavat. This lively mural is located in the heart of South Philadelphia. Located against the backdrop of the Italian Market, this mural is a tribute to the sound that made South Philadelphia famous in the 1950s and ‘60s—a sound that not only defined Philadelphia, but an entire era.