Paramount Plaza Walk of Fame facts for kids
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| Established | 2006 |
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| Location | Wisconsin |
The Paramount Plaza Walk of Fame is a special place in Grafton, Wisconsin, that celebrates famous musicians. It honors artists who recorded music for Paramount Records, a very important record company from the past. Each honored artist gets a unique 'piano key' on the ground.
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Discover the Paramount Plaza Walk of Fame
The Paramount Plaza Walk of Fame is like an outdoor museum. It reminds everyone of the amazing musical talent that once passed through Grafton. This walk helps keep the history of early American music alive for new generations.
What is the Walk of Fame?
The 'piano keys' are the main feature of the Walk of Fame. Each key is made from black granite. They are about 2 feet (0.6 meters) wide and 7 feet (2.1 meters) long. When placed together, they look like a giant piano keyboard.
The Village of Grafton adds new keys each year. Each new key is carved with the name of an artist. These are all artists who recorded their music at Paramount Records. The goal is to have a total of 44 piano keys.
Honoring Music Legends
The Walk of Fame celebrates artists who made history with their music. These musicians recorded for Paramount Records. This company was known for recording blues, jazz, and gospel music. Many of these artists were pioneers in their musical styles.
The First Stars
The first group of artists was honored in 2006. They were chosen by the Paramount GIG organization. GIG stands for 'Grooves In Grafton'. These first inductees were true legends of music.
The first six artists to receive a piano key were:
These musicians helped shape American music. Their recordings are still important today.
Why Paramount Records Matters
Paramount Records was a record label that started in 1917. It became very famous for recording blues and jazz artists. Many of these artists were African American musicians. They often did not get a chance to record their music elsewhere.
The company helped share their unique sounds with the world. It preserved important musical styles. The Paramount Plaza Walk of Fame helps remember this important part of music history. It also honors the artists who made it all happen.
