by KYW's John Ostapkovich
The finale of Friday night's "Welcome America" fireworks was being set to a new arrangement of a patriotic song that looks to find its way into the country's playlist.
(Choir singing:) "I am a red, white and blue American!"
Legendary music producer Kenny Gamble (at left in photo) says he first encountered the song I Am An American in 1980, at the International Peace Mission, and it just grabbed him.
Now, he expects it to grab you, too:
"I think people are going to gravitate to it because it's going to reignite the American spirit. There is nothing in this world like the American spirit."
Gamble enlisted the Temple University Symphony Orchestra and Choirs, and in one version he even worked with Patti LaBelle (at right in photo), in a piece that he predicts will explode in popularity over the next few months.
Temple Music College dean Robert Stroker:
"I don't think you're going to find anything else quite like it. I do really feel this piece will inspire people."
..beginning under the rocket's red glare on Friday night.
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