MAYOR GIULIANI RENAMES MANHATTAN'S 44TH STREET "SOUL MAN WAY" TO KICK OFF THE NEW ABC COMEDY
The Mayor Arrives with Stars Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi Escorted by the Wild Pigs Motorcycle Club
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today unveiled a new sign temporarily renaming 44th to kick off the new Touchstone Television series of the same name. The Mayor arrived in a 1954 convertible Buick Skylark flanked by Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi who rode a pair of Harleys, along with the 15-member off-duty NYPD motorcycle club, The Wild Pigs.
The roaring motorcade had traveled along 42nd Street, from Sixth to Eighth Avenues, and up to 44th Street where it joined the Soul Man Gospel Choir as they sang the series theme song. Also on hand were creators and producers Matt Williams, David McFadzean, Carmen Finestra, and David Richardson.
"Today we are here to celebrate the premiere of one of New York's newest television comedy series, Soul Man," said Mayor Giuliani. "I'm sure Dan Aykroyd's portrayal of a widowed, not-so-reverent minister raising four children alone will be a delight to viewers of all ages. I wish the show, its cast and staff the best of luck. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank Disney/Touchstone Television/ Wind Dancer, and ABC for recognizing New York City's place as the Entertainment Capital of the World and the ideal location for television production."
For the third consecutive year, New York City has set records for film and television production with direct expenditures soaring over $2 billion and the creation of more than 43,000 full-time jobs in 1996.
Soul Man, which premieres on Tuesday, September 30, will air on ABC on Tuesdays at 8 PM. The series is produced at the Kaufman-Astoria Studios in Astoria, Queens.
Following the proclamation and street renaming, a kick-off reception took place at John's Pizzeria, at 260 West 44th Street.
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