After setting the table for Sheryl Crow in 2009 and having to endure the ignominy of opening for the Goo Goo Dolls last year, Philadelphia and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon band The Roots will finally get to headline their hometown July 4 celebration this summer.
Mayor Nutter announced the free concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway this morning. Along with the Roots, the lineup includes classic R & B band Earth Wind & Fire, singer-songwriter Sara Barielles, blue eyed Doobie Brother Michael McDonald, British hip-hop soul singer Estelle and, on the wheels of steel, Philadelphia's DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Some other Welcome America! musical doings were also announced. Aaron Neville. whose Joe Henry-produced 2010 gospel album I Know I've Been Changed was one of the overlooked treasures of last year, and Philadelphia jazz bass man Gerald Veasley will play Penn's Landing during the Taste Of Philadelphia festival, which runs June 24-26. And veteran jazz singer Nancy Wilson kicks off Welcome America! at the Dell Music Center in Fairmount Park on June 23.
Previously: In The Pocket's Songs Of Philadelphia: "You Can't Sit Down"
"If you don't take this Michael McDonald DVD that you've been playing for two years straight off, I'm going to kill everyone in the store and put a bullet in my brain."— sla6yer- I love the Roots, but can they play a shorter set this year? We want to see the fireworks!— freesamuel
- sameul, the answer to your question is no.— Phila26
- great lineup. thank you for sparing us the goo goo dolls nonsense.— slanted and enchanted
- I'm too old...I think it's outrageous that the Roots are headlining over Earth, Wind & Fire.— J H
- How did we score McDonald!?!?!?— Hunter S. T
- Nothing for the white folk?— mapet6
- good thing it's free with that line-up.— bobbyd24
- Call me if they ever book Pink Floyd or the Stones. Otherwise, have fun sweating on the 4th and listening 2nd rate music.— hulk0455
- Finally, we dont have to be embarrassed by bands like the googoodolls and shirley crow or whatever. The Roots are a great band and the entire lineup looks like one that a first class city would be proud to have. Mape6, i guess you will just have to light sprinklers in your moms backyard in Clifton Heights. Maybe Toby Keith is playing somewhere...— mbuddy
- The only thing the white folk get is the bill.— gone with the wind
- Embarrassed by the GGD? They are actually a good group, not head-bangers or metal. One all-white act didn't sit well w/the masses, huh? Not too much effort to attract the caucasians by signing McDonald or Sarah Boring. Enjoy!— deanm828
- The Roots? Earth, Wind and Fire? How is this concert boring?????? We gave the white folk Michael McDonald... LOL..... And Yes, the white folk will get the bill.... LOL.....— Cool 1
- mbuddy. How would someone -- "Shirley" Crow or anyone else, for that matter -- go about lighting sprinklers? That would be really hard, especially if they were running at the time.— Roger Podacter
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