By: Gordon, Reich, Fletcher, Cunningham, Ellison, Warsame, Goodman, Jenkins, Cano, Bender, Schroeder, Johnson, and Palmisano

Declaring February 17 “ Day” in the city of

Whereas: Willie Murphy was a talented, respected and prolific Minneapolis composer and performer who was regarded as a leader of the West Bank scene and an inspiration to generations of musicians of all genres; and Whereas: Willie Murphy "kept on rocking the boat” and inspired generations of listeners to do the same, in spite of the fact that we are “living in a Supermarket, where everything’s for sale…” he motivated us to speak out against injustice; and Whereas: Willie Murphy toured with Spider with whom he recorded the seminal 1969 record, Running, Jumping, Standing Still, which was cited as a favorite of John Lennon; and Whereas: Willie Murphy was offered a label producer position with Elektra, but instead chose to continue living in Minneapolis, producing numerous artists’ records and performing solo, with the Bees, and with such other bands such as the Angel Headed Hipsters; and Whereas: Willie Murphy was a true creative inspiration, not only through his music but also his passion for cinema and world literature; and Whereas: In 1971, Willie Murphy produced ’s debut album, and Willie and the Bees were her backing band through the entire album, which was released on Warner Bros; and Whereas: In 1990, when the Minnesota Music Academy launched the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, Willie Murphy joined and as the inaugural inductees; and Whereas: In the first year of the Mill City Music Festival in 1996, he was proclaimed ‘Mayor of Mill City’; and Whereas: A Minneapolis Star Tribune poll in 1997 listed Willie and the Bees in the Top 10 of “the best local live bands of all time”; and Whereas: Willie Murphy passed away in January, 2019; and Whereas: The Cabooze Music Club will host the event Fairytales: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Willie Murphy on Sunday, February 17, 2019;

—NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED—

That the Mayor and City Council do hereby declare February 17, 2019, as Willie Murphy Day in the City of Minneapolis.

Passed this the 15th Day of February, 2019

______Lisa Bender, President of the Council

Approved:

______Jacob Frey, Mayor

Attest:

______Casey Joe Carl, City Clerk