By Mike Dunn

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia City Council took a first step today toward renaming the Robin Hood Dell East open-air music venue in honor of music promoter and civil rights activist Georgie Woods, who died in 2005.

Dozens of speakers told the council committee that Georgie Woods fought for the African-American community in Philadelphia.

(A promotional photo of the late Georgie Woods. Credit: Wynne Alexander)

“Georgie Woods went to the old Civic Center and confronted Frank Rizzo, and demanded dignity for black people in this city,” recalls radio personality E. Stephen Collins.  “He did it over and over and over again.”

But the mayor’s recreation commissioner, Sue Slawson, voiced misgivings about renaming the Dell East, in Fairmount Park, in honor of Woods:

“Such caution is warranted because we wish to retain the Dell’s successful marketing and community familiarity,” she said.

So the committee okayed a revised name change: “The Georgie Woods Entertainment Center at the Robin Hood Dell.”

The plan now goes to the full Council for a vote.