Music of Pennsylvania

Music Of Pennsylvania

The Philly sound in 1970s soul music, notable performers including Gamble & Huff, The O'Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, Harold Melvin and The Delfonics, is well-known, as are jazz legends like Nina Simone and John Coltrane. Philadelphia gave to the musical world diverse singers such as Mario Lanza, Frankie Avalon, Dee Dee Sharp and Fabian. This city is also the birthplace of American Bandstand, and the home of Cameo-Parkway records and the famed Philadelphia Orchestra.

Following the American Revolution, Philadelphia became especially renowned for musical development and was the home of the esteemed Alexander Reinagle, John Christopher Moller, Rayner Taylor and Susannah Haswell Rowson. Reinagle became the most influential figure in Philadelphia's musical life, organizing a number of concerts, organizations and musical events. Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was a notable composer of the period. One of his compositions, "My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free", is well-remembered as the first art song from the United States (though this is disputed); it is, however, lacking in originality and innovation to set it apart from European compositions.

During the 19th century, Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania became the birthplace of Stephen Foster, easily the most popular American songwriter of the century.