Dayton View Triangle in Montgomery County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Music Lives On!

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 30, 2025

1. The Music Lives On! Marker

Inscription. Roger Troutman (1951-1999), was an artist, songwriter, producer and front man for the world renowned funk band Zapp. Roger played a major role in the Ohio funk movement, heavily influencing west coast hip-hop. Well known for his innovative use of the talk box, a device that created unique vocal effects, Roger scored a bevy of funk and R&B hits throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

The Troutman brothers planted their roots in Dayton and contributed to the vibrancy of the city. This marks the site of the former Troutman Sound Labs recording studios where Roger, Larry, Lester, Terry and other musicians produced many gold and platinum sound recordings. Roger is still celebrated by a multitude of friends and fans in Dayton and throughout the world.

Roger's musical legacy truly lives on.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music.

Location. 39° 46.941′ N, 84° 13.557′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Ohio, in Montgomery County. It is in Dayton View Triangle. It can be reached from Salem Avenue west of Catalpa Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2010 Salem Avenue, Dayton OH 45406, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Miami Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Troutman Sound Labs (a few steps from this marker); United Theological Seminary

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); D-134 Artillery Memorial Bridge (approx. 1.3 miles away); D Battery 134th Field Artillery-37th Division encamped at Triangle Park - July 15th 1917 (approx. 1.3 miles away); Dayton Fire Department Station No. 14 (approx. 1.3 miles away); Site of First Game in the NFL (approx. 1.4 miles away); 134 D Artillery Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); Triangle Park (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.

Also see . . . 2Pac ft. Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman - California Love (Official Music Video) (YouTube, 6:46). Roger Troutman received his only Grammy nomination in 1996 in the category of Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for his appearance on this legendary West Coast hip-hop track. (Submitted on July 24, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 30, 2025

2. ZAPP Park

The Sound Fountain is inspired by Roger Troutman's innovations and the Dayton funk movement. This marker is seen on the right of the fountain, across from the state historical marker.

Sound Sculpture Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 30, 2025

3. Sound Sculpture Plaque

A secondary plaque thanks Michael Bashaw, the creator of the sound sculpture, as well as people and organizations who sponsored the park.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 30, 2025

4. ZAPP Mural

A mural near the park honors Roger Troutman and Zapp.

Photographed by Craig Doda, March 21, 2026

5. The Music Lives On! Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, March 21, 2026

6. The Music Lives On! Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 24, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. 5, 6. submitted on March 28, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.