Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney announced on Wednesday morning, 6/5, that legendary R&B group Kool and the Gang will be this year's Marian Anderson Award recipient. The Marian Anderson Award honors critically acclaimed artists who have impacted society in a positive way, either through their work or their support for an important cause. The ceremony will be held at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on November 12th. For tickets to the gala click here. For more information visit http://marianandersonaward.org
"We are honored to present Kool & the Gang with the 2019 Marian Anderson Award," Mayor Kenney said in a statement. "The group embodies all that Marian Anderson herself stood for, and I cannot think of a group more deserving of this prestigious honor."
Kool & the Gang was formed in 1964 in Jersey City, NJ. They started performing in 1969. They are known for hits like "Jungle Boogie," "Hollywood Swinging," "Ladies' Night," "Celebration," "Get Down On It," and many more.
"We are truly honored," Kool & the Gang said in a statement. "Philadelphia played such an integral part in our early career. We would not be where we are without the city of Philadelphia, or as we called it back in the day, 'Funky Philly.' It's where we recorded several of our albums and where radio and fans really had our back. Receiving an award founded by Marian Anderson on our 50th anniversary means so much to us. Thank you to everyone involved."
Past winners include Harry Belafonte, Gregory Peck, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Quincy Jones, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, Sidney Poitier, Richard Gere, Maya Angelou and Norman Lear, Mia Farrow, James Earl Jones, Berry Gordy, Jon Bon Jovi and Wynton Marsalis.
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