Introduction to the Uptown
2240 North Broad Street is home to one of Philadelphia’s most notable theaters from the 1900’s. The Uptown Theater was a major music hub in the city that attracted music artists, comedians, and more. From names like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Red Foxx, the Uptown Theatre was a hot commodity for Philadelphians and those in surrounding areas. The Theater has major historical significance. Hosting live music shows for African American audiences, hosting freedom shows to raise awareness for the Civil Rights movement, the Uptown theatre impacted the music scene in Philadelphia as well as operated as an outlet for locals during the civil rights movement. As years went on, the Uptown theatre began to decline. Now all that stands there today is a damaged, fragile building full of history. Despite the theatre being vacant today, its importance within music history and beyond has impacted Philadelphia’s history.
Who was Georgie Woods?
Georgie Woods, also known as “the guy with the goods” produced exceptional shows at the Uptown theater from 1958 through the 1970’s, and he was one of the main factors to the Uptowns success. The Philadelphia music community knew of Georgie Woods and his desire to create entertaining shows for all. Georgie Woods was deeply involved with the civil rights movement and was a major activist, helping organize events.
The Uptowns role in Philadelphia music history
They were infamous for hosting R&B and soul music performances, especially during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. It impacted music in Philadelphia because it acted as a hub for showcasing local Philadelphia talent. Acts like The O’Jays, Patti LaBelle, and The Stylistics, among others, got their start or gained exposure at the Uptown Theatre, and later became influential names in the music industry. These artists helped define Uptown Theatre’s legacy as a premier venue for R&B, soul, and gospel music. From that point on, Philadelphia was the blueprint for soul sounds. Shows happened frequently, “Acts would come in for several days, sometimes more than a week, playing as many shows as the clock would allow: 50-cent weekday matinee shows for teenagers after school, an evening show (or two), and a midnight show. More shows were added on weekends” (Crimmins). Because of the large audience the Uptown attracted, shows were happening every day and artists were fighting for a spot on the set list.
The Uptown during the Civil Rights movement
Because the Uptown had such a large audience due to its performers and well put together shows, they decided to raise awareness around the civil rights movements by hosting freedom shows. Freedom shows were a series of performances hosted by Georgie Woods to Promote integration and equal rights, and they featured prominent African American artists. Woods Hosted his first freedom show in March of 1964 to raise money for the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Opportunities Industrialization Center. This show included performances by Sam Cooke, Jerry Butler, the Shirelles, Martha and the Vandellas, and comedian Jackie “Moms.” That concert accumulated around $30,000 in fundraising donations and the Tribune estimated that fourteen thousand people filled the hall, with another five thousand waiting outside. Wood’s efforts to bring awareness to the civil rights movement did not go unnoticed, as the Philadelphia Tribune praised his accomplishments by naming him “a true champion of the civil rights offensive in Philadelphia.”
Final moments at the Uptown Theatre
Georgie Woods produced his last show at the theater in 1972, yet the theatre stayed open until 1978. By 1978, the Uptown was too small for the major acts, in an area with high crime. There were many other reasons that led to the decline of the venue besides drugs and violence becoming a prominent issue in the surrounding area. Black artists now had the opportunity to travel to venues to perform in cities such as Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Musicians playing in those cities could perform at larger venues and make more profit to progress their careers.
True Light Fellowship church purchased the property in 1989, and it remained as a church until 1991 when a major storm damaged the roof, and the property became abandoned.
The Uptown Theatre today
As the building now sits vacant and vandalized, the residents of North Philadelphia are actively trying to revive the building because there was so much legacy and impact within it. Linda Richardson was at the forefront of trying to revitalize the theater. In 2017, Uptown Radio, a low-power station at WJYN 98.5, began broadcasting from the UEDC’s conference center, providing North Philadelphia residents with news, music and other programming tailored specifically to the North Philadelphian community. As a Philadelphia native herself and a lover of the arts, she quickly got to work. “Richardson got a grant from the Governor’s Commission on African American Affairs to do a study, to see if the community would support her plans for the venue. Once that was confirmed, she formed the UEDC, which purchased the Uptown in 2001” (Clay-Murray).
In November of 2020, Richardson died as she was still collecting funds for the revival of the theater. Although Richardson is gone, the ambition to save the theater continues. The UEDC set a goal of creating 200 new jobs through the redevelopment of the Uptown building and they have created a job bank for construction work and cleaning opportunities for the people of Philadelphia. They also launched the Uptown Youth Got Talent program which teaches young people audio/video production and performing arts and offers a paid summer internship program. Today, UEDC continues to soldier on in saving the theatre.
The Uptown Theater was far more than just a music venue. It was a place to gather, stand up for yourself, and have your voice be heard. As we anticipate the revival of the theatre, we can only hope that the amount of history and impact will not be forgotten.