Philadelphia Takes The Hippest Trip In America In Honor Of A Legend
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - To honor the life of Soul Train creator Don Cornelius (who will be buried today in Los Angeles), hundreds of people from all over the world are expected to join hands on the Philadelphia Art Museum steps, this afternoon, to start a love train -- and try to break a world record.
It started with an idea that soon went viral, says event organizer Mannwell Glenn.
"Don Cornelius was such a part of my growing up -- of my generation -- that I thought of doing something special."
That "something special" is to break the Guinness World Record for the longest Soul Train line.
"When I saw that it is only 211 people, I said, 'hold it! We can break that here in Philadelphia with our eyes closed.'"
But, it's not as easy as it seems. "The person at the beginning of the line has to go all the way down to the end, before the next person can start."
Glenn says more than 500 people are expected to gather, today, at the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum at 4:00 p.m. to take the hippest trip in the world. "But, I would not be surprised if thousands showed up on the steps of the Art Museum."
And many of them are going all out. "We have a lot of enthusiastic people who are now talking about wearing their pink suits, platform shows, boas; bring their fans, putting on afro wigs and everything."
Philadelphia radio personality E. Steven Collins says Philadelphia is just the place to make such a special tribute, because of their special connection to Gamble & Huff.
"It's the place that gave Soul Train a musical theme, through Gamble and Huff, legendary songwriter duo out of Philadelphia. They wrote the 'People All Over The World' theme son," referring to "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)," performed by MSFB.
Glenn says Kenny Gamble and possibly Mayor Nutter will make appearances.
