Woodstock: 3 days of peace and music that defined an era turns 50
BETHEL, N.Y. — Some come to remember, others to show reverence. A few find their way to the hallowed ground after decades of regret. All come to honor and pay respect to three days that transcended time and place, that pulled together the counterculture of the 1960s into a defining...
Former teen idol crooners share The Palace Theatre stageVideo
Actor and singer Frankie Avalon and Western Pennsylvania native Lou Christie will bring decades of performing talent to The Palace Theatre in Greensburg for an upcoming show. The two will take the stage for a Sept. 15 concert presented by Latshaw Productions. Avalon, 78, a Philadelphia native, is known for...
Murrysville concert to revive spirit of late ’60s with a celebration of Woodstock
Fifty years ago, a half-million people gathered on a farm in Bethel, N.Y., for an event billed as “3 Days of Peace & Music.” The Woodstock Music & Art Fair, held Aug. 15-17, 1969, holds a special place among the cultural events that shaped America. University of Pittsburgh senior lecturer...
Willie Nelson cancels tour, cites ‘breathing problem’
NEW YORK — Willie Nelson has canceled his tour because of a “breathing problem.” The 86-year-old singer apologized on Twitter late Wednesday, writing “I need to have my doctor check out.” Nelson had just finished performing with Alison Krauss in Toledo, Ohio, and he was next scheduled to appear Friday...
Bryan Adams ‘shines a light’ on 4 decades of musicVideo
“Shine A Light,” the title track of Bryan Adams’ new album, was co-written with prolific collaborator, English musician Ed Sheeran. “I met Ed in Dublin this year at one of his shows and we kept in touch,” Adams said in a tour press release. “One day I sent him a...
The Regrettes bring fun power punk to Pittsburgh
Lydia Night was just a toddler when it became obvious that she was destined to be a rock singer. At the age of 2, she was singing the Ramones song “Beat on the Brat” for the soundcheck at her father’s nightclub in New Orleans, where she was born. By 6,...
The Clarks to play annual Big Brothers Big Sisters benefitVideo
The Clarks will take the stage at Greensburg’s Palace Theatre on Oct. 19 for the band’s annual benefit concert for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region. The band’s latest release came in May — “Between Now and Then, Volume 2,” featuring all of the original members, is a...
‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’ piano finds harmony at Manchester Craftsmen’s GuildVideo
Many tunes were played on the special piano, and many more will be played in its future home. The 1987 Steinway B piano was the instrument of choice for renowned jazz musician Johnny Costa on the set of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” inside WQED Multimedia studios in Oakland. Unveiled Tuesday, it...
Football, ribs, music combine at Heinz Field Rib Fest and Kickoff
Chomping on award-winning ribs and watching some football is not a bad way to spend a late-summer day. The 16th annual Heinz Field Rib Fest and Kickoff is Aug. 29 through Sept. 2 on the North Shore. The event features ribs and brisket vendors from all over the country. The...
River City Brass director honored with ‘Dr. James Gourlay Day’
Recognizing James Gourlay’s 10th season as River City Brass artistic and general director, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto is declaring Sept. 5 as “Dr. James Gourlay Day.” Sept. 5 is opening day for River City Brass’s new season. A copy of the proclamation notes Gourlay’s expansion of the band’s audience and...
Singer Ben Folds talks about his new book, playing in PittsburghVideo
Ben Folds is not only a prolific songwriter and performer, he is also an author. Folds has just written his first book, a memoir called “A Dream About Lightning Bugs.” Of course he is also a singer and musician who has recorded many memorable songs including “Brick,” “Landed,” “Song for...
Singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield announces Pittsburgh-area show
Singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield will perform at the Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall on Oct. 20. The artist, best known for her song “Unwritten,” will hit the stage two months after her latest album release, which is expected later in August. The song, released in 2004, garnered several award nominations and...
Vocal Confluence expands repertoire, performancesVideo
A cappella men’s group Vocal Confluence is prepping its pipes for an upcoming concert at Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh. “’Til I Hear You Sing: An Afternoon with Vocal Confluence,” will begin at 3 p.m. Aug. 25, featuring a “potpourri” of favorites including jazz standards, Broadway hits and...
Lollapalooza festival-goer dies for 2nd straight year
CHICAGO — Officials say a Lollapalooza festival-goer has died for the second year in a row. Melissa Stratton, a spokeswoman for Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications, says the attendee was taken from the event in critical condition Saturday night and died at a hospital. She says the circumstances...
Bluegrass musicians will serenade state park audience
For more than a decade, Laurel Hill State Park has been home to the Laurel Hill Bluegrass Festival. “This is our 12th year,” park operations manager Michael Mumau says. Along with sponsor the Friends of Laurel Hill, Mumau helped start the popular festival, scheduled this year for 11 a.m.-7 p.m....
Derek Woods Band will play annual festival at Woodstock host’s farm
At 31, Derek Woods is far too young to have attended the original Woodstock. Next week, however, not only will the Hempfield resident have a chance to visit the original festival grounds in Bethel, N.Y., but his group, the Derek Woods Band, will play the annual Yasgur Road Reunion, held...
Poison’s Bret Michaels announces death of his father
Rocker Bret Michaels posted a message to his fans on Sunday that his father Wally Sychak had died. On his website, as well as his social media pages, the Poison frontman posted: “This morning my Dad passed away. He was a great guy and loved by all.” He described his...
Freed from Swedish jail, rapper A$AP Rocky lands in US
LOS ANGELES — Nearly a month after he was arrested in Sweden, rapper A$AP Rocky returned to the United States as the verdict in an assault case against him and two other Americans looms. Los Angeles television stations reported the artist was among a group of people shown emerging from...
Ed Sheeran sets all-time highest-grossing tour record
LOS ANGELES — Ed Sheeran’s Divide Tour is one for the record books. Pollstar confirms the 28-year-old British singer’s tour will set the all-time highest-grossing tour record with Friday’s show in Hannover, Germany. Pollstar forecasts the total gross to this point of $736.7 million will top the previous record of...
Goo Goo Dolls will ‘Slide’ in some new music on KeyBank stopVideo
The Goo Goo Dolls may have established a comfortable niche as a well-respected rock band with pop leanings reflected by the 12 million albums they’ve sold worldwide and much-loved hit singles like “Iris,” “Slide” and “Name.” But as far as founding member/lead vocalist John Rzeznick is concerned, they’re never too...
Deadheads celebrate Jerry Garcia’s birthday, plan to ‘Meet Up at the Movies’Video
Jerry Garcia would have turned 77 years old today. That number holds a special importance to legions of Grateful Dead fans, many of whom hold the band’s 1977 tour in extremely high regard. Garcia’s birthday is also the day for the annual Grateful Dead “Meet-Up at the Movies” event, where...
The Lumineers plan PPG Paints Arena debut concertVideo
In support of their upcoming album, “III,” being released on Sept. 13, The Lumineers are heading out on a headlining tour of North American arenas and amphitheatres. They will take the stage at PPG Paints Arena for a Feb. 25 performance. Mt. Joy will be adding musical support on multiple...
Bluesman Billy Price to host album-release party at Club CaféVideo
Blues singer and former Pittsburgh resident Billy Price will kick off a year-long tour in support of his new album with a release party Aug. 9 at Club Café. Price returned to Greaseland Studio in San José, Calif., with producer Kid Andersen, to create a follow-up to his previous album,...
Drum Corps International brings the noise in Pittsburgh-area showVideo
Drum Corps International will bring the noise, and the fancy footwork, and the fabulous music during its upcoming Pittsburgh appearance. DCI Pittsburgh is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 4, when the elite marching units will take the field at Elizabeth Forward’s Warrior Stadium, 1000 Weigles Hill Road, Elizabeth Township. Some...
WDVE’s Sean McDowell signs off: ‘Thank you’Video
Sean McDowell is off the air. The longtime, legendary WDVE disc jockey broadcast his final show Wednesday from the Marriott Pittsburgh City Center, across from PPG Paints Arena prior to the Queen and Adam Lambert concert. McDowell took to the airwaves at 3 p.m. and signed off for the last...
