This week, Echoes of Indiana Avenue launches a new series celebrating the Legends of Naptown Funk, beginning with The Presidents, a pioneering Indiana Avenue R&B band that helped lay the groundwork for Indianapolis’ distinctive funk sound.
Formed in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1960, The Presidents arrived in Indianapolis in the early ’60s and quickly became fixtures of the Avenue’s nightclub scene. Led by guitarist Alphonso “Boo” Young and charismatic frontman Baby Leon, the group built a reputation for hard-driving R&B, deep grooves and electrifying live performances. Their Indiana Avenue story even includes a legendary guitar showdown with a young Jimi Hendrix.
This episode features classic Presidents recordings for DeLuxe and Plum Records, along with music from the band’s remarkable 1969 recording sessions in Spain for Penelope Records. We’ll revisit the group’s Indiana Avenue performances, hear stories from Indianapolis historians and musicians, and explore the colorful career of Baby Leon, one of Naptown’s most unforgettable entertainers.
Join host Rodney Stepp for the music and stories behind The Presidents, in the first chapter of our celebration of the Legends of Naptown Funk.
