CINCINNATI — Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but another Ohio city wants to honor its own musical stars. Cincinnati is hoping to add a Black Music Walk of Fame.
While the Icon Music Center in downtown Cincinnati is still under construction, but opening later this summer, there are some new ideas rolling in for the entryway that will help highlight some of Cincinnati’s and Hamilton county’s own music superstars. That includes the Black Music Walk of Fame.
What You Need To Know
- Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece is proposing a Black Music Hall of Fame outside of the new Icon Music Center in downtown
- The Walk of Fame would be part of the entryway into the music center
- The Walk of Fame will start by honoring local musicians
- The hope is to make a yearly induction event with the artists that are being honored
It’s something Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece has heard since the day she stepped into office. And now she and local music leaders are working to make it happen at the new Icon Music Center.
“We’re presenting a proposal for something that brings people together — it brings inclusion, it brings authenticity, it records the history and it connects us to tourism that brings dollars to our region," Reece said.
Reece said she hopes to bring music lovers to the southern part of the state.
“We appreciate the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, but we’ll have something down here at the southern part of the state, too," she said.
And recognize all the local talent that started in the Cincinnati area.
“There’s just such a rich history here in Cincinnati, from James Brown to Bootsy, you got Midnight Star," said Lincoln Ware, a Cincinnati radio host. "You could even go up to Roger Troutman and Zapp in Hamilton. You could move up, Lakeside in Dayton. There’s just so many artists in this area that haven’t been recognized in this area. They’ve been recognized elsewhere but not here in Cincinnati like they should be recognized.”
While the music-loving group that is hoping to make this come to life has many musicians in mind for the walk of fame, Reece said it’s important to get this done soon before any of these legends, like Otis Williams, pass away. That’s why they hope to get the project started as soon as possible.
“It’s hurtful to me that once they die, all of a sudden we say how wonderful they were, how great they were," Reece said. "Mr. Williams (Otis Williams), as you said, he was here at a press conference about a month ago and now today he’s not feeling well. I want him to be able to see this. He came up out of Withrow High School and is a legend and icon in the music world.”