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Famous Philadelphians

Philadelphia has had many famous citizens, from historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin to famous celebrities like Bill Cosby. Here are some, in no particular order.

William Penn
William Penn
Founder		 Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Statesman, Inventor		 Betsy Ross
Betsy Ross
Flagmaker		 kevin Bacon
Kevin Bacon
Actor		 Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby
Comedian, actor
Kim Delaney
Kim Delaney
Actress		 Will Smith
Will Smith
Actor		 Chaim Potok
Chaim Potok
Author		 Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly
Actress, Princess		 Richard Gere
Richard Gere
Actor
Patti Labelle
Patti Labelle
Singer		 David Brenner
David Brenner
Comedian		 W.C. Fields
W.C. Fields
Comedian		 Marian Anderson
Marian Anderson
Singer		 James Michener
James Michener
Author
Stan Getz
Stan Getz
Musician		 Jack Klugman
Jack Klugman
Actor		 Joe Frazier
Joe Frazier
Boxer		 Margaret Mead
Margaret Mead
Anthropologist		 Mario Lanza
Mario Lanza
Singer


Rock 'n Roll.....
Cleveland may lay claim to the Rock and Roll Museum, but anybody who knows the real history of the music of the 50's and 60's will tell you it all really started here in Philly....

American Bandstand It all began with American Bandstand...

Bandstand began as a local program on WFIL-TV (now WPVI), Channel 6 in Philadelphia on October 7, 1952. It was hosted by Bob Horn and was called Bob Horn's Bandstand. In 1956 the show got a new host named Dick Clark. American Bandstand aired it's first national show on August 5, 1957. The show was moved to Los Angeles in 1964.

During the 50's and 60's Philadelphia music exploded and it was heard around the world. Philly singers set the standards that others would follow. A partial list of Philly's contributors to the music of the era:

The Dovells (Bristol Stomp), Bill Haley and the Comets (Rock Around the Clock), Danny and the Juniors (At the Hop), Chubby Checker (The Twist), Lee Andrews and the Hearts (Long Lonely Nights), Patti Labelle and the Bluebelles (I Sold My Heart to the Junkman), Frankie Avalon (Venus), Bobby Rydell (Wild One), Fabian (Turn Me Loose), Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes (If You Don't Know Me by Now), The Orlons (South Street) and James Darren (Goodbye Cruel World).

Philly rock and pop was complimented by Philly Soul, and included such groups as The Delfonics, The Stylistics, The O'Jays, and The Three Degrees

These artists set the standard for others who followed including Hall & Oates, Teddy Pendergass, and Boyz II Men.


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