Get a look inside last night’s star-studded Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame Gala at The Fillmore

For the first time in over two decades, the Philadelphia Music Alliance hosted a evening gala to celebrate its newest inductees at the new Fillmore last night.  Earlier in the day a ceremony was held to unveil their plaques, Hollywood Walk of Fame-style, in the Broad Street sidewalk along Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts on Broad Street. The gala, however, was a chance for some of the biggest names in Philly music history to fix up and look sharp to personally honor the new inductees.

The night was hosted by South Jerseys SNL star Joe Piscopo, who kept the night interesting by entertaining the crowd filled with Philly Music legends like  producers Joe Tarsia, Kenny Gamble, Earl Young of The Trammps, among other familiar local faces including Mayor Michael A. Nutter. This black tie affair was filled with inspiring inductee speeches, humble plaque acceptances and stellar performances by Philly artist including Andrea McArdle (Broadways original Annie), all four original members of The Trammps, Dionne Warwick inducting the late Billie Holiday, not to mention Chill Moody, Bilal and Haley Rinehart performing The Roots’ “You Got Me” and “The Seed (2.0)” and more.

O yeah! Did I fail to mention The Legendary Roots Crew were one of the night’s honorees? And who else better to induct them then a slew of industry friends, including D’Angelo and The Tonight Show’s Jimmy Fallon. The night was topped off with an intro from host Joe Piscopo as his fellow SNL vet Fallon took the stage. And boy did the crowd erupt when he did! Fallon took the chance to tell the story of how he never thought The Roots would be on-board with being his house band, but figured “it can’t hurt to ask!” After three months of no word back, he says he got a call for a meeting with the band and walked out with “the most incredible band in late night television” in his corner.

This years inductees included: The Roots, Cinderella, Ray Benson, Andrea McArdle, The Trammps, and Harvey Holiday.

Take a look inside the gala in the photo gallery below.

photos by: Rich McKie