New Bedford officials plan dedication for street honoring iconic music group Tavares

NEW BEDFORD - A dedication ceremony for Tavares Brothers Way - a street honoring iconic music group Tavares - is in the planning stages, but organizers hope that a date can be set soon.

Janet Barbosa, city director of special projects and programs, represented Mayor Jon Mitchell's office at Monday's City Council Special Committee on Memorials and Dedications meeting.

She said she believed the new street signs were ready. Barbosa added she wanted to make sure the date for the dedication ceremony would be convenient for the Tavares family.

Signs would go up a few days before ceremony

She said the signs would probably be put up two to three days before the dedication ceremony, but would be covered in draping until the formal unveiling.

Council President Naomi Carney said the family might have a date in mind and should be consulted.

Memorial and benches also requested

Councilor Ryan Pereira also reiterated earlier requests from Councilors Derek Baptisa and Brian Gomes that a memorial with benches also be incorporated into the site.

Barbosa said she would relay the request to the mayor.

Councilor Shane Burgo, who chairs the committee, said he would stay in contact with Barbosa and set a meeting as soon as the Tavares family's preference for a date was known. He said they wanted to act quickly, and that time was of the essence.

Councilor Derek Baptiste made initial motion

Councilor Baptiste made the initial motion for the group's special recognition, which was unanimously approved by the City Council in January.

The new street replaces Griffin Court, from South Second Street to JFK Memorial Boulevard, which has no houses or businesses.

Baptiste said the site was especially appropriate because the area selected was once a thriving Cape Verdean community.

Tavares featured brothers Feliciano, aka “Butch,” Perry Lee, aka “Tiny,” Antone, aka “Chubby,” Arthur “Pooch" and Ralph Tavares who grew up in Providence and later New Bedford.

Tiny Tavares said the recognition was a 'privilege'

Tiny Tavares was in attendance at the January meeting.

He said after that meeting, "It's a privilege to finally have it done. I'm glad it's being done, especially on behalf of my family. I want my brothers to witness it. We've lost one (Ralph Tavares passed away in 2021), and I don't want to lose anymore before it happens."

Tavares had eight singles on Billboard's Top 40, 12 Singles on the R&B Top 10 Chart (Including three No. 1 records), three Dance Chart Hits, including a No. 1, and 10 Hit Albums.

This included their best-known 1976 hit "Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel" and the Bee Gees song "More Than a Woman.”

Won Grammy for 'Saturday Night Fever' soundtrack

They won a Grammy in 1978 for their work on the soundtrack to “Saturday Night Fever,” one of the most successful soundtracks in history.

The brothers were inducted into the Cape Verdean Museum Hall of Fame in 2006; in 2013, they were honored with "Lifetime Achievement Awards" by The National R&B Music Society Black Tie Gala; and they were inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame in 2014.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford dedication ceremony for Tavares Brothers Way being planned