‘Laser Queen’ at Buhl Planetarium promises to be ‘Killer Queen’ show
It’s been 35 years since the rock band Queen turned in the most memorable performance at Live Aid and nearly three decades since the death of flamboyant lead singer Freddie Mercury. But thanks in part to the 2018 movie “Bohemian Rhapsody,” named after the band’s biggest song, Queen is as...
Bloomfield’s Little Italy Days festival rescheduled for fallVideo
Bloomfield’s Little Italy Days have been rescheduled. The four-day Italian festival is now planned for Oct. 8-11, producer Sal Richetti said Monday. Richetti made the decision last week because of the ever-changing restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. “I’ve been monitoring the situation and because of all the restrictions, I felt...
Jay-Z, other celebs ask feds to probe student’s 2010 killing
Rihanna, Jay-Z, Charlize Theron and other celebrities are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the death of 20-year-old Danroy “DJ” Henry Jr., a Black football player at Pace University killed by a white police officer in New York nearly a decade ago. In a letter sent this...
Michael Jackson channel launching on SiriusXMVideo
The King of Pop is joining The Boss and Old Blue Eyes on SiriusXM satellite radio. The month-long Michael Jackson channel was announced Wednesday by the singer’s estate. The channel will feature music from Jackson’s albums and from live performances, including his 1988 concerts at London’s Wembley Stadium on his...
Gibson officials offer reward for return of ‘Golden Era’ shipping ledger
Members of the Gibson company are launching a global search for a missing shipping ledger from 1959-’60, the time period which saw the company produce some of the most sought-after guitars in the world. And they’re willing to award $59,000 cash for its safe return. The 1959-’60 ledger disappeared from...
Reliving the Live Aid experience 35 years later
Editor’s note: Monday is the 35th anniversary of the Live Aid benefit concert. The Trib’s Paul Guggenheimer was there. Here, he shares his first-person remembrance of the historic event in Philadelphia. In the days leading up to the Live Aid benefit concert in Philadelphia and London on Saturday, July 13,...
Great White apologizes for mask-less show in North Dakota
DICKINSON, N.D. — Rock band Great White has apologized for performing at an outdoor North Dakota concert where the crowd didn’t wear masks despite the ongoing threat of the coronavirus. The band drew criticism on social media after the performance Thursday night as part of the “First on First: Dickinson...
Pittsburgh-area musicians find new ways to stage live music amid covid-19 restrictions
When Pittsburgh’s nightlife scene shut down amid the covid-19 quarantine, hundreds of live performances were shelved. In the quarantine’s early days, livestreaming was a primary mode of musical communication, with bands setting up “virtual tip jars” through services such as PayPal and Venmo. And while there is still plenty of...
Westmoreland Cultural Trust cancels TGIS concert set for tonight
The Westmoreland Cultural Trust today canceled tonight’s TGIS concert featuring Andy and Natalie Gregg with Jackson Gardner scheduled for 5 p.m. on the lawn at Greensburg Garden & Civic Center. “The safety of trust patrons, artists, volunteers, team members, and the community it serves is our top priority,” Westmoreland Cultural...
East Huntingdon drive-in to screen exclusive Blake Shelton concert
The Evergreen Drive-In Theatre in East Huntingdon is among sites nationwide that will show the first installment of a new drive-in theater concert series from Encore Live. The July 25 musical event will feature country singer Blake Shelton with special guests Gwen Stefani and Trace Adkins. Tickets go on sale...
Kanye West talks Trump, presidential bid, having covid-19 in Forbes interview
Kanye West is definitely planning to run for president in 2020, according to Forbes. The rapper and fashion designer did his first interview since announcing he was running July 4 and filled in some blanks about the situation. West, 43, whose original plan was to run in 2024, will seek...
Moon teen wins national songwriting competitionVideo
Maleena Dominick had already written a song about how she felt losing the last few months of her senior year at Moon Area High School to the covid-19 shutdown. So when the 18-year-old heard about the “Living in a Covid World”-themed Robbie’s Hope Foundation songwriting contest, she immediately entered. Dominick’s...
Pittsburgh Symphony plans more online summer programming
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is presenting “Summer With the Symphony,” featuring six weeks of musical offerings throughout its digital platforms, all available free to the public. “While we continue to confront this pandemic together and our home stage is closed, we will bring the concert hall to you,” said Melia...
Country rocker and fiddler Charlie Daniels dies at age 83
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Country music firebrand and fiddler Charlie Daniels, who had a hit with “Devil Went Down to Georgia,” has died at 83. A statement from his publicist said the Country Music Hall of Famer died Monday at a hospital in Hermitage, Tennessee, after doctors said he had a...
Nirvana tops Pearl Jam, Chili Peppers for top spot on 105.9 The X’s countdownVideo
Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” topped the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Under the Bridge” and Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy” for the top spot on 105.9 The X’s July 420 countdown. Nirvana also had the most songs with 17, followed by Pearl Jam and the Stone Temple Pilots, each with 16. Spread...
Kanye West says he’s running for president in 2020
The debate stage could be a little more crowded as President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee for president Joe Biden may have to make room for musician Kanye West. The rapper posted a message on Twitter Saturday night saying he is joining the race. “We must now realize the...
Hyde Park’s Mia Z releases new album on Independence DayVideo
A sound connection started at
Honey Bear Mini Mart in Apollo. Owner Denise Frain introduced singer Mia “Mia Z” Zanotti and RJ Bertera, a member of the group Dead Man Switch, who owns Holiday House Studio nearby with band mate, Kyle Horrell. They’ve been in harmony ever since. “Denise told...
2 Chaplin films to be screened via Zoom with live music by Pittsburgh pianist Tom Roberts
It seems everyone could use a good laugh in the trying times of the pandemic — and thanks to Charlie Chaplin and a local musician, the laughs are on the way. The Rangos Giant Cinema and pianist Tom Roberts are putting on a night of live music and silent films...
The Clarks to play Sunday, kick off virtual Allegheny County Parks Summer Concert Series
It might not be that much-missed concert in the park, but Allegheny County Department of Parks kicks off its Summer Concert Series with The Clarks at 7 p.m. Sunday on Pittsburgh’s CW television station. “Although the pandemic is limiting our ability to gather in large groups, Allegheny County is honoring...
Code Orange to stream ‘stripped down’ Twitch show from Trafford theaterVideo
Code Orange is doing another show and your ticket is Twitch. The hardcore band announced Tuesday that Under the Skin would be livestreamed July 30 via itstheir Twitch channel. The event, which will be broadcast live from The Theatre Factory in Trafford, will see Code Orange deliver a “full band,...
Kanye West drops new song ‘Wash Us in the Blood’ featuring Travis ScottVideo
Kanye West is back with a new song. The new track, “Wash Us in the Blood,” from the rapper and fashion designer was released Tuesday morning. The single features an appearance from Travis Scott and was mixed by Dr. Dre. The song is also available to stream via Spotify and...
Despite pandemic, MTV VMAs to take place Aug. 30 in Brooklyn
NEW YORK (AP) — The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards will still go ahead despite the coronavirus pandemic. An MTV spokesperson confirmed to the Associated Press on Monday that the show will take place Aug. 30 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the...
Country stars steamed over Chase Rice’s concert with no social distancingVideo
Country music performer Chase Rice is facing criticism after a video surfaced from his weekend concert, featuring hundreds of fans packed together without masks. Rice and his band performed Saturday night at the Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Petros, Tenn. Other country music performers like Kelsea Ballerini, Mickey Guyton and...
T.I. to teach ‘Business of Trap Music’ at Clark Atlanta
Atlanta rapper T.I. will soon be adding educator to his resume. T.I will join hip-hop scholar Dr. Melva K. Williams at Clark Atlanta University this fall to teach the “Business of Trap Music,” news outlets reported. The course will focus on the origin, culture and business of trap music, according...
Beyoncé’s message, epic performances stand out at BET AwardsVideo
Beyoncé used her platform Sunday while accepting the BET humanitarian award to relay a direct appeal to viewers: Go vote. “Your voices are being heard and you’re proving to our ancestors that their struggles were not in vain,” said the superstar singer at the BET Awards, which celebrated its 20...
