These Are Philadelphia Music Alliance’s 2026 Walk of Fame Inductees

The Philadelphia Music Alliance has named the eight artists joining its 2026 Walk of Fame class, continuing a tradition that stretches back nearly 40 years.

Since launching the induction ceremony in 1987, the organization has used the Walk of Fame to spotlight the people who helped shape Philadelphia’s music legacy while also supporting students and emerging artists carrying that legacy forward.

Here’s what the alliance has to say about this year’s class:

• Yannick Nezet-Seguin, one of the most celebrated artists of his generation, admired worldwide for his artistry, leadership, and versatility, as well as the Music Director of The Philadelphia Orchestra.
• The Philadelphia Boys Choir, America’s preeminent boy choir and men’s chorale and known as “America’s Ambassadors of Song,” ranking among the best boy choirs in the world.
• Hugh Panaro, best known for having played the coveted role of the Phantom in Broadway’s The “Phantom of the Opera” more than 2,000 times, he has also appeared in “Les Miserables,” “Show Boat,” “South Pacific,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Masquerade” and many others.
• Adam Blackstone, a multi‐faceted bass player, musician, Emmy-winning music director, Grammy-winning producer, Tony Award nominated orchestrator, and the musical mastermind behind the live shows of many of today’s biggest artists.
• Lady B, a DJ and one of the earliest female rappers in hip hop, and the first female hip hop artist to record a single, “To the Beat, Y’all.”
• Sun Ra Arkestra, remembered as the “Godfather of Afrofuturism,” he pushed the boundaries of jazz, becoming one of the first Black artists to have his own record label.
• Louise Williams Bishop, the “Gospel Queen of Radio” and one of the earliest Black females to host a radio program in Philadelphia.
• Pablo Batista, the award-winning artist and world master percussionist, clinician, educator, mentor, music composer, arranger, director, producer, and performer.

Additionally, the alliance will present a lifetime achievement award to Earl Young. Young is Philadelphia-based drummer who rose to prominence in the early 1970s as the drummer for MFSB and founder and leader of The Trammps, who had a massive hit record with “Disco Inferno.” He is credited with inventing the disco-style of rock drumming and popularizing four-on-the-floor bass drum beats. Young won Album of the Year at the 1979 Grammy Awards for the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack.

The Philadelphia Music Alliance’s Walk of Fame honors and recognizes those who have excelled in music while always recognizing and remembering their Philadelphia roots. As we celebrate and honor this year’s inductees, we recognize the spectacular music that continues to shine bright across Philadelphia and beyond and serves as this City’s heart and soul.

Philadelphia Music Alliance Chairman Alan Rubens

These eight inductees and Young will be celebrated at the Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala May 13 in Philadelphia. The ceremony will at be held at 11:30 a.m. and the gala at 6 p.m., both at The Kimmel Center. Gala ticket sale proceeds will support the alliance’s mission to preserve the city’s musical history, lift up emerging artists, and strengthen the creative economy.