_Photo: Dino Perrucci_

Phish were inducted into the Tipitina’s Foundation’s Wall of Fame during last night’s Instruments A Comin’ benefit show for in New Orleans. The band was represented by bassist Mike Gordon, who made a speech at the ceremony after being introduced by longtime Phish archivist Kevin Shapiro. Gordon told a story about coming down with chicken pox on the tour bus while driving to Phish’s first show at the iconic venue 25 years ago before stating that Tipitina’s is his “single favorite club in the whole country.” He also noted that it was an honor to help raise money for the Tipitina’s Foundation.

While Gordon did not take the stage at last night’s Instrument’s A Comin’ show, the event did feature a “battle of the marching bands” between IAC recipient schools, as well as performances by Galactic, Anders Osborne, Dumpstaphunk, the New Orleans Suspects, Bonerama, Walter Wolfman Washington & The Roadmasters, Susan Cowsill, Naughty Professor, the Honey Island Swamp Band and more. Additionally, famed New Orleans jazz trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard was also added to the venue’s separate Walk of Fame. Other artists that have received the illustrious Wall of Fame honor in the past include Bruce Springsteen and Harry Shearer.

Established in 2006, Instruments A Comin’ program has provided more than $2.2 million worth of new, high-quality musical instruments to 75 Louisiana schools and after-school programs, directly impacting more than 4,000 children and teens each year. The proceeds from the event at Tipitina’s will be used to purchase new musical instruments for New Orleans area public, charter and parochial schools.

As previously reported, Phish took the stage at Jazz Fest for the first time since 1996 on Saturday. The band played a two-set headlining show—their first in New Orleans since 1999.

_Photo: Dino Perrucci_