Kelly Byer
CantonRep.com staff writer 
Posted Aug. 25, 2014 @ 12:22 am 

CANTON

The sounds of rhythm and blues reverberated through the Canton Palace Theater during Sunday’s star-studded R&B Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Personalities from the Internet radio station WMEL 104.1 entertained guests entering the theater before putting down their mics. A few deejays danced their way backstage, where suited musicians sat next to instrument cases and “The Delfonics” records lay on a table.

The first induction ceremony took place in Celveland, and Canton Councilman Thomas West welcomed the crowd to “a mighty city” at the second annual ceremony. He invited everyone to move along to the night’s entertainment, which included The New Fantastic Four.

“Looking good boys, looking good,” shouted a woman from the audience as the opening act took the stage in glittering vests and black suits.

Among the 13 HOF inductees was Canton’s own Macy Gray.

Chris Blackfire, with WMEL, said Canton was an ideal location for the ceremony because it’s home to Gray, the O’Jays and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The night promised a healthy balance of entertainment and recognition of inductees, and Blackfire said it began on a good note.

“From the looks of it, everything is going well,” he said before the ceremony.

Fred Wheatt, the R&B Hall of Fame’s executive director, spoke briefly before the start of the event, reminding those gathered why it’s important to “recognize, memorialize and preserve” the legacy of R&B artists honored Sunday.

“These are the people that have made this music what it is,” he said.

Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or kelly.byer@cantonrep.com

On Twitter: @kbyerREP

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