Is R&B Hall of Fame headed to Philly?
Also in Tattle: Dee Dee Sharp, Ciara, Russell Wilson, Kenny Chesney, ABBA and a bra
PHILADELPHIA LOST out on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame decades ago, but the city may now be a frontrunner for the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
According to a statement from Lamont Robinson, the Rhythm & Blues Music Foundation "has been in major talks with a musical business group in Philadelphia that would like to bring this world class hall of fame concept to the Brotherly Love City."
The Philadelphia group so far is choosing to remain anonymous. The leading competitor? Detroit.
The Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame was founded by Robinson in 2010 and has so far inducted over 135 musical legends at its annual star-studded ceremony.
But it needs a physical space.
Cheryl Ruffin, the daughter of Temptations great David Ruffin, is president of the Rhythm & Blues Music Group, and she's got big plans for the Hall of Fame complex (restaurant, recording studio, etc.) with an entire wing dedicated to the history of Philly Soul music - radio personality Georgie Woods, The Uptown Theater, American Bandstand, Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, Teddy Pendergrass, Hall & Oates, Boyz II Men, The Roots and so many more.
Robinson believes the R&B Hall could attract more than 250,000 visitors per year.
His group is set to visit the city next month to discuss plans and scout potential locations.
For more info: http://rhythmandblueshof.com
* In other local music news, Dee Dee Sharp's 1962 album Songs of Faith has been rereleased by Abkco Records and is available for the first time in 54 years.
Sharp, who went to Overbrook High School and recorded for Philly's Cameo/Parkway label, scored a huge pop hit with "Mashed Potato Time," but she had a gospel background from singing in her grandfather Eubie Gilbert's church and Philadelphia's All-City Choir.
The inspirational Songs of Faith was recorded with a 20-piece orchestra and The Cameos singing background.
According to a statement from the label, Sharp, a winner of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award, still attends Philadelphia's Third Eternal Baptist Church in Germantown.
"Truthfully, I have longed for this album to come out again; it's been something of a secret desire of mine," Sharp said in a statement.
TATTBITS
* One of Tattle's most famous abstinent couples is having a baby.
R&B singer Ciara and Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, who vowed to avoid sex until their wedding day in July, will be growing as a family.
Ciara Instagrammed the news on her 30th birthday: "On this special birthday I received an abundance of love from friends and family ... and I'm excited to finally share one of the greatest gifts of all that god could give."
This will be Wilson's first child. Ciara is the mother of 2-year-old Future Zahir with rapper Future.
So ... if you're supposed to wait three months before you make an announcement, this could be a wedding night baby.
* Kenny Chesney will receive the Pinnacle Award during the 50th annual Country Music Association Awards, joining Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift as the only recipients.
The CMA Awards will air live from Nashville, Nov. 2 on ABC.
* The members of ABBA are reuniting next year for a "new digital experience."
The iconic Swedish pop band made the vague announcement Wednesday, saying they are teaming up with Universal Music Group and Simon Fuller (American Idol, Spice Girls) to "create an original entertainment experience ... that will enable a new generation of fans to see, hear and feel ABBA in a way previously unimagined."
Back when ABBA was scoring mega-hits with "Dancing Queen," we never imagined Mamma Mia! as a musical, so ...
* Knight Rider is being remade with Justin Lin (Fast & Furious 6, Star Trek: Beyond) producing.
David Hasselhoff starred in the original series with KITT. This time, maybe KITT will be available for ride-sharing.
* Supermodel/Angel Jasmine Tookes will be wearing the $3 million Fantasy Bra at this year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (Monday, Dec. 5 on CBS).
Tattle is still waiting to find out whose fantasy involves a $3 million bra?
The handcrafted Bright Night Fantasy Bra, designed by Eddie Borgo, is adorned with nearly 9,000 precious gemstones and weighs more than 450 carats.
"I'm so excited," Tookes gushed on E! News. "I still pinch myself every day and today is finally the day I can share with everybody."
When a model pinches herself, is there any skin to pinch?
- Daily News wire services
contributed to this report.
gensleh@phillynews.com @DNTattle