Patti LaBelle, Gamble and Huff receive 2016 Marian Anderson Award

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- The 2016 Marian Anderson Award gala was a star studded event for some of Philadelphia's best talent.

The night was filled with great music from R&B bands like the Soul Survivors and the Three Degrees.

All performed in honor of groundbreaking musical icons and this year's honorees: top diva Patti LaBelle and legendary songwriting and producing duo Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the founders of Philadelphia international records

Action News was a proud broadcasting partner of the event which was emceed by our very own Monica Malpass.

"This is a tribute to three Philadelphia legends artists who have helped to shape American popular music as we know it right here in Philadelphia and around the world," Monica said.

General Manager Bernie Prazenica was also in attendance.

The award, named in honor of distinguished Philadelphian Marian Anderson, is presented to critically acclaimed artists who have made a mark in their respective industries.

Previous honorees include Jon Bon Jovi and Oprah.

"They're all within one year of each other in terms of age so they're a tremendous example of the talent pool that we have in Philadelphia," Patrick Moran, Executive Director of the Marian Anderson Award, said.