Note: With the release of ROCKY BALBOA in theaters today, we thought we’d re-publish the Arrow’s awesome trip to Philly earlier this year, when the city dedicated Rocky’s statue with Stallone in attendance. Enjoy!
The ROCKY character and franchise has acted as a source of
inspiration for many since it burst on the scene in 1976. The low budget
film (it was shot for $1.1 million dollars) was actually voted #4 on the American Film Institute’s 100
Most Inspiring Movies of
All-Time list and with good reason…it’s the ultimate spirit riser.
For me, Rocky (and everything Sylvester Stallone did in the 80s-90s) went beyond inspiration, it was my
education. Without a positive male role model around to show me the ropes, I latched onto Stallone’s
rags to riches story, go for it & never quit attitude and his body of work.
With its poignant love story, themes of seizing the moment, rising
up to the challenges and giving it your all to beat the odds, ROCKY made a
huge impression upon me.
The classic Rocky scene!
Something I’ve been wanting to do since I was 12 years old
With the advent of the original film’s 30th Anniversary and its final
installment in the upcoming ROCKY BALBOA
(hitting the screens on
December 22nd, 2006) what better time
to celebrate the character and the film! Well, Philadelphia went buck
wild in that respect and threw one heck of a party in its very first annual Philly Loves Rocky Week
(September 6 to 9).
Although I missed out on the Boxing Exhibition and the Rocky/Adrian Look-alike Contest, I was there for the last
stretch of the week, the one that had Stallone in the house. I was the living proof that the fanboy in us never dies, it just
lies dormant until the “right” situation arises. Here’s what I hit up!
Rocky Statue
Dedication Ceremony
SLY…NICE TO SEE YA MAN!!!!!!
The Bronze Rocky Statue (which saw light in ROCKY 3) has had a weird
journey within the City of Philadelphia. Stallone donated it to the city in 1982 and for a while
it was where it belonged: at the top of the
steps of the Philadelphia Museum of
Art where Rocky did his famous victorious sprint and jump up & down.
Being labeled "not art" by some tight wads, it was consequently
shipped to the front of the
Wachovia
Spectrum,
a sport center. Well, on
September 8th, 2006,
the statue finally returned where it belonged…well almost.
Where the Rocky statue was located originally
The only thing left at the top of the stairs
The Philadelphia Museum of Art
saw about 2000 Rocky fans on hand to witness the dedication of the statue on the “side” of the museum at the “bottom of the steps”.
Better than nothing. The place was booming with hardcore Rocky fans! I’m
talking Egg chugging contests (emulating the bit where Rocky drinks eggs
before his run), people dressed like Rocky and all kinds of peeps running up
them steps. All was set to the tight Rocky soundtrack booming over some damn large
speakers. It was Rocky loving and I, for one, was LOVING it!
I had to slap this up! It’s Baby Rocky! How cute!
The event itself began with Sylvester Stallone driving
up at the top of the steps and standing at the magic spot for the fans and press to
witness.
Yes, the same spot that
he made famous in 1976 whilst wearing ugly grey sweat pants. After that, Stallone went down and joined the podium
at the bottom of the stairs. The
ceremony was hosted by the endearing “Philly
Loves Rocky” organizer Jimmy Binns with the help of Philly
Mayor John Street (not a very
liked man if I go by the heavy booing that went down when he spoke to the
crowd).
30 years later, Stallone returns to the steps that made him
famous
Stallone shares some Rocky nostalgia and shows Philly some love.
NOTE: The crowd was chanting "ROCKY, ROCKY"
when Sly showed up. I can live with that. But I found it odd that the folks
on the podium would sometimes address Sly as Rocky. Yo, his name is
Sylvester, not Rocky. He invented the character, he’s NOT the actual guy! Just found it weird.
END OF NOTE
Jimmy Binn’s stepped in first and said
that Rocky is
synonymous with the City of Brotherly Love that is Philly and through the
magic of movies, Stallone had elevated the image and the identity of the city
overnight. More people apparently come to the museum to run up the steps than
to see the art. It’s a major tourist attraction and one that is very good for Philadelphia.
He also revealed that actress Connie Stevens and Rocky actor Burt
Young (Paulie) were in the crowd. Stevens took a bow, but Young remained
incognito.
Actually, Young was supposed to be up there with
Sly as per the program, but he stayed hidden. Mayor John Street then chimed in,
saying that although Sylvester Stallone wasn’t
born in Philly (he was born in New York), he and the city considered him their adopted
son. He then said that the statue would stay at that spot forever.
The statue about to be revealed…
Finally, Stallone was given the mike, opening
up with a "Yo Philly!” which ignited the crowd. He then reminisced
about how they had originally shot his famous scene, and offered an interesting anecdote. They
apparently shot the museum scene on the fly, meaning with no
location permit, hence it had to be done quickly. Initially, Stallone was to
run up the stairs holding Rocky’s big dog (which belonged to Sly in real
life) Butkus (who has since passed on), to further emphasize how strong Rocky
had become. After doing it, everybody agreed that it looked silly, so
Sly ran up the stairs solo instead.
Stallone was
in obvious good spirits and put his well-oiled sense of humor to practice. He knew how to work the crowd
and when to pose for the press. I was mucho impressed as to how much of a
pro he was at all this. Then again, 30 years of it will do that to ya, I guess!
Stallone ended his speech with a heartfelt thank you to Philly for putting him where
he is, said that the city will always be in his heart and if there was
anything that he could ever do for it, all they had to do was ask. The
statue was then unveiled, looking as
glorious as ever. Stallone and company took a bow and as Sly started to depart the crowd went wild in
terms of seeking autographs and pictures.
Yo! Long time no see!
Mayor John Street, Sly and Rocky Week
mastermind Jimmy Binns
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