PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — No Name Pops could soon become Philly Pops.
The announcement came Saturday at a matinee performance hosted by Ensemble Arts honoring the late genius and mastermind of Philly Pops, Peter Nero.
“His legacy carries on and Philadelphia meant so much to him as he meant to them,” said Jed Nero, Peter’s son.
Malcolm and Eileen Adler have been attending Philly Pops performances since 1979 when Peter first took the stage to lead the orchestra.
“Peter was excellent at that piano. Our season tickets were on the other side because we used to watch his hands go back and forth on that keyboard… sigh … ugh, it was just phenomenal,” Malcolm said.
After more than 40 years, Philly Pops ceased operations following the 2022-23 season. Over the summer, No Names Pops was formed to keep the Philly Pops style of orchestral music alive in Philadelphia.
In a statement released Saturday, No Names Pops said they started discussions with Peter’s family to be able to perform under the Philly Pops trademarks and “carry on Peter Nero’s legacy.”
“Both the orchestra and the Nero family look forward to the day that Philadelphia’s proud tradition can officially be reborn under the name that Peter Nero made famous.”
Jed feels Philly Pops is an important part of Philadelphia that “needs to carry on.”