TIN PAN ALLEY (Manhattan)
Present name:West 28th Street
Location:Between Sixth Avenue and Broadway
Honoree:  Between 1893 and 1910, this part of West 28th Street between Sixth Avenue and Broadway became known as Tin Pan Alley, often cited as the birthplace of American popular music. Here, composers, arrangers, lyricists, performers, and publishers of sheet music revolutionized the production and promotion of popular music. Such iconic songs as "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and "God Bless America" were published on 28th Street while the sheet music business boomed here at the turn of the 20th century. The designation of this row of five buildings honors the diverse history of Tin Pan Alley, acknowledging the harsh realities faced by African Americans at the turn of the 20th century, as well as their achievements. Tin Pan Alley's music publishing brought ragtime to an international public, and Jewish and African-American artists and publishers created unprecedented opportunities for themselves in mainstream American music. Among those who went on to gain acclaim and prominence, were Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Noble Sissle, J. Rosamond Johnson, and James Reese Europe. (Speaker Johnson)
LL:2022/54