Pittsburgh’s Music Legends

8 Pittsburgh Rock N’Roll Legends inductess at Hard Rock Cafe

You may not have guessed that Pittsburgh has played a large role in the development of Doo Wop, Rock and Roll, and Hip Hop over the past 55+ years.

In the 1950’s, DJ’s such as Porky Chedwick, Mary Dee, Sir Walter, Three D Lee (Lee Doris) and Bill Powell were bona fide hit makers and had considerable power as they personally chose the records they played. Very unlike today’s pre-programmed playlists.

Porky Chedwick, Daddio of the Raddio, spun wax for what later became WAMO in the back of a Homestead candy store. He had a local cult following and his playlist was influential nationwide.

Local groups from the area began to have an impact on airwaves across the country when Pittsburgh label Fee Bee released the Del Vikings’ “Come Go With Me,” in 1957 and it hit #4 on the charts. The Skyliners had a huge hit with “Since I Don’t Have You,” in 1958, which is still a standard on the oldies circuit.

Pittsburgh eventually ended up being a great test market for new songs. Labels assumed that if they could sell several thousand copies in Pittsburgh they could multiply that many times in much bigger markets, such as New York City.

In the 60’s doo wop and vocal groups gave way to the British invasion and Pittsburgh’s prominence in the current music scene faded a bit. By the 70’s, Pittsburgh was back on the map though as a local club located in Oakland, The Decade, began featuring local groups and musicians. The Decade fostered a few great bands that would become prominent throughout the Decade, including Diamond Reo, who would tour with Ted Nugent and Kiss. In the late 70’s a new band featuring Joe Gruschecky, the Brick Alley Band, surfaced and they later morphed into the Iron City Houserockers and had a string of successful releases that were critically acclaimed and produced by the likes of Ian Hunter and Steve Van Zandt. Joe is still a local favorite, plays shows in the area and consistently makes an occasional appearance with Bruce Springsteen.

Donnie Iris hit big in the 80’s with his hit Ah Leah! and followed with another hit album “King Cool” the next year in 1982. Donnie also still plays the occasional show and is a local favorite.

Pittsburgh’s bands and disc jockeys played a major role in the development of the sound of early and later day Rock and Roll. Today Pittsburgh based artists continue to influence as Rusted Root, Christina Aguilera, Daya and rappers Mac Miller, Devin Miles, Wiz Khalifa are making their mark on the current Music and music Hip Hop scene.

Recently, the Pittsburgh Rock and Roll Legends Awards were created to honor local individuals who have been instrumental in the Pittsburgh music scene. A permanent display of all honorees, which is updated with each new induction, is hung at the Hard Rock Café in Station Square.

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January

Pittsburgh RV Show 2020 David L. Lawrence Convention Center January 11-19, 2020

For over 46 years, this show has drawn camping enthusiasts from all around the tri-state area. New RV models will be on display and you can receive advice from the industry’s top professionals. pittrvshow.com

Pittsburgh Restaurant Week Various Location January 14-19, 2020

Each January and August, Pittsburgh Restaurant Week highlights the wide-ranging dining options that Pittsburgh has to offer and brings individuals from surrounding boroughs or suburbs to the city to walk the streets and enjoy a meal at a special discounted price. pittsburghrestarauntweek.com

Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Moon Township January 17-20, 2020

The greater Pittsburgh area is located within 500 miles of one half of the U.S. and Canadian populations, making it a great meeting place for youth hockey teams looking for strong competition and a diverse mix of opponents. itshockeytime.com

Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District Cultural District January 24, 2020

A free quarterly showcase of art and entertainment in the heart of the Cultural District. All events take place at a variety of galleries and spaces and are FREE and open to the public. The event is ongoing between 5:30 and 9:00 pm, and patrons may start at any location. crawl.trustarts.org

World of Wheels David L. Lawrence Convention Center January 24-26, 2020

Pays tribute to the innovative workmanship that re invents and improves the vehicles of yesterday and today. Competition vehicles as well as specialty and concept autos are displayed. autorama.com

February

Pittsburgh International Auto Show David L. Lawrence Convention Center February 14-17, 2020

A supermarket for anything on wheels! The entire Convention Center will be filled with the latest domestic and foreign cars, trucks and SUV’s from over 35 manufacturers and exhibitors. It’s also a preview of coming attractions, where visitors can inspect new models prior to them arriving in dealers’ showrooms. pittautoshow.com

Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District. Courtesy of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

35st Annual Allegheny Sport, Travel and Outdoor Show Monroeville Convention Center February 28-29, 2020

Western Pennsylvania’s largest, ongoing outdoor show celebrates the diversity of the region’s natural resources and the outdoor traditions treasured by thousands in the region. The show will feature fishing, camping and hunting outfitters from across the country, dozens of live demonstrations and exhibits, a fascinating line-up of expert seminars geared for every type of outdoor enthusiast, plus hands-on activities for the entire family. sportandtravel.com

Pittsburgh Winter Beerfest David L. Lawrence Convention Center February 29, 2020

Come celebrate the 6th annual Pittsburgh Winter Beerfest, and enjoy unlimited samplings of great craft beer from over 125 breweries from around country. Live music and an assortment of food trucks will also be available.

March

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Downtown March 14, 2020

A Pittsburgh tradition since 1869, it is also the largest parade in the city! pittsburghirish.org/parade

Spring Flower Show Phipps Conservatory March 21 - April 19, 2020

Enjoy the yearly celebration of the season with the Spring Flower Show. Marvel at the kaleidoscope of color as tens of thousands of spring blooms burst forth in all the season’s vibrant hues. phipps.conservatory.org

April

Tekko-2020 David L. Lawrence Convention Center April 2-5, 2020

Drawing a crowd of over a thousand attendees each year, Tekko-2018 is a convention for like-minded fans that have an interest in anime, Japanese music, toku, video games, card and board games, plus other Japaneserelated popular culture. Contests, seminars, workshops, live concerts, and competitions are just some of the fun activities that will be taking place during this three-day event

Pittsburgh Earth Day Citywide April 20, 2020

After being recognized in FORBES Magazine as a “triumphant success” in green design and technology, the City of Pittsburgh is finding ways to celebrate the

Please check event websites to confirm dates and times, we have lised the dates available as of time of publishing.

city’s innovations in sustainability. Acrobatique Creative, working with the City of Pittsburgh and key partners, has developed an initiative open to all in the region who want to celebrate a resilient city and a more sustainable Pittsburgh. pittsburghearthday.org

Pittsburgh Wine Festival Heinz Field April 23, 2020

One of the largest wine events in the country will attract about 2500 wine connoisseurs from Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland with the opportunity to sample wines from France, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Portugal, Australia, Germany, Chile, New Zealand, as well as California, Pennsylvania and the Pacific Northwest. pittsburghwinefestival.com

Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District Cultural District April 24, 2020

A free quarterly showcase of art and entertainment in the heart of the Cultural District. All events take place at a variety of galleries and spaces and are FREE and open to the public. The event is ongoing between 5:30 and 9:00 pm, and patrons may start at any location. trustarts.org

May

Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon David L. Lawrence Convention Center May 2, 2020 Promotes the love of long-distance running and enhances community involvement in fitness activities through high quality events open to a wide variety of ages and ability levels.. pittsburghmarathon.com

Events are listed in the months they begin, some carry over to other months. Three Rivers 2020 Quilt Show The Meadows Racetrack & Casino Washington, PA May 7-9, 2020 Pittsburgh Pride Festival and March Cultural District June 18-19, 2020

Over 100 quilts,judged & juried, cash prizes, vendors, quilters flea market & quilting demonstrations, snack cafe. threeriversquilters.org

EQT Children’s Theater Festival Downtown/Oakland May 14-17, 2020

The 33rd annual EQT Children’s Theater Festival is one of the largest children’s festivals in the country. Both the young and young-at-heart can explore the world through theater, live music, dance, and puppetry. With great entertainment and scrumptious food ... it’s the perfect excuse to spend time with the family. pghkids.trustarts.org

Open Streets PGH Downtown-Lawrenceville last weekends in May, June & July 2020

OpenStreetsPGH is part of a movement called Ciclovia, which includes 100’s of cities across the globe. OpenStreetsPGH is also a group of businesses, neighbors, non-profits, and others who want to help Pittsburgh be the healthiest, most active, and happiest city it can be. openstreetspgh.org

June

Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival Point State Park June 5-14, 2020

It’s Pittsburgh’s official launch of summer! Produced by Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival connects the community to the arts with 10 days of free, live music performances, visual arts, hands on activities, an artist market and exciting new features each year. traf.trustarts.org.com A free event that takes place on Liberty Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh between 6th Street and 10th Street. Features a wide variety of continuous entertainment including street performers, food booths. pittsburghpride.org

Pittsburgh JazzLive! International Festival Cultural District June 18-21, 2020

Twenty venues, ranging from bars and restaurants to galleries and museums, within the Cultural District of Downtown Pittsburgh will be presenting live music. pittsburghjazzlive.com. www.mattress.org

July

Anthrocon 2020 David L. Lawrence Convention Center July 3-5, 2020

Anthrocon is the largest convention of its kind, where fans gather to focus on “furries”, fictional anthropomorphic animal characters. The event draws writers, artists, costumers, and more from all around the world. There will be work groups, panel discussions, music, exhibits, merchandise sales, a “fursuit” parade, special guest speakers, dances, and more.

Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District Cultural District July 10, 2020

A free quarterly showcase of art and entertainment in the heart of the Cultural District. All events take place at a variety of galleries and spaces and are FREE and open to the public. The event is ongoing between 5:30 and 9:00 pm, and patrons may start at any location. trustarts.org

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Schenley Park July 16-26, 2020

The nations’s largest world class vintage racing event that also raises funds for the care of developmentally disabled persons in the Pittsburgh area. pvgp.org

Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta Point State Park July 31-Aug 2, 2020

The largest inland regatta in the US. Features boat racing, family fun, fireworks, laser show and even ice-skating. yougottaregatta.net

August

PedalPGH SouthSide Works August TBD, 2020

An exciting & scenic bike tour that takes you through many of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods and landmarks that make the downtown Pittsburgh area so special. Designed to be an enjoyable ride and not a race... Pedal Pittsburgh has course options ranging from 10 to 62 miles - so from families to the cycling enthusiast ... there is an option for everyone to enjoy. Now celebrating its 65th year ... PedalPGH has attracted more than 22,000 riders since it’s creation in 1994, making Pedal Pittsburgh one of the region’s premier cycling events. bikepgh.org

Greater Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival West Newton August -Sept (every Sat-Sun)2020

Enter through the castle gates and spend the entire day in merry old England. Shop the Artists’ Marketplace featuring thousands of handcrafted wares. You’ll be thrilled and amazed as jugglers, minstrels, acrobats, and jousting knights fill seven stages with fun entertainment. This family friendly event will take you back in time and is held at a permanent village in Mt. Pleasant southeast of Pittsburgh. pittsburghrenfest.com

Pittsburgh Restaurant Week Various Locations August TBD, 2020

Each January and August, Pittsburgh Restaurant Week highlights the wide-ranging dining options that Pittsburgh has to offer and brings individuals from surrounding boroughs or suburbs

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to the city to walk the streets and enjoy a meal at a special discounted price. pittsburghrestarauntweek.com

September

Pittsburgh Irish Festival Riverplex at Sandcastle September 11-13, 2020

This event has become one of the nation’s finest Irish-American festivals, and features the most comprehensive exhibit of Irish music, lore, food, and dance in the region. pghirishfest.org

Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District Cultural District September 18, 2020

A free quarterly showcase of art and entertainment in the heart of the Cultural District. All events take place at a variety of galleries and spaces and are FREE and open to the public. The event is ongoing between 5:30 and 9:00 pm, and patrons may start at any location. trustarts.org

Penn Brewery’s Oktoberfest North Side September TBD, 2020

More than 10,000 guests are expected to attend Penn’s classic German festival and enjoy the Brewery’s own award-winning craft beers, hearty German fare, and live Alpine entertainment. pennbrew.com

Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival South Side Riverfront Park September TBD, 2020

Highlights the Asian cultures in the Pittsburgh region, and promotes intellectual understanding between the East and the West in a fun way. Visitors are welcome to try their hand at Dragon Boating. pdbf.org

51th Annual A Fair in the Park Mellon Park - Downtown Pittsburgh September TBD, 2020

Now celebrating it’s 51th year, the annual A Fair in the Park is a contemporary craft festival attended by an estimated 25,000 visitors. Held in Mellon Park and along Fifth & Shady Avenues, A Fair in the Park features over 105 craft artists, children’s activities, concerts, food and more! It’s also the perfect time to find that early Christmas present. afairinthepark.org

Penn’s Colony Festival Saxonburg September 19-20, 2020

Captures the spirit of colonial America with the region’s premier marketplace of handcrafted folk art, primitive and fine craft and home decorative accessories. pennscolony.com

ScareHouse Lawerenceville last 2 weekends in September - October 2020 Ranked as one of “America’s Scariest Halloween Attractions” by Travel Channel and as one of America’s best haunted houses by USA Today, Forbes, Fangoria, and Haunted Attraction magazine. scarehouse.com

October

Haunted Pittsburgh Downtown Each Thurs-Sat through Oct., 2020

Pittsburgh’s acclaimed ghost tour offers haunted walks Downtown (Thurs/Sat. at 7 pm from Market Square) and Mt. Washington (Sat. at 7:30 pm from Station Square). Mid-May through October. hauntedpittsburghtours.com

Fall Flower Show Phipps Conservatory October 2020 - February 2021

Blooms in shades of yellow, orange, fuchsia, and green surrounded by burgundy, purple and soft brown foliage combine to create festive scenes including more than 5,000 chrysanthemums. phipps.conservatory.org

November

Garden Railroad Phipps Conservatory November 2020-February 2021

The ever-popular Garden Railroad in the South Conservatory has been reinvented, inviting guests on a locomotive journey through the plots of fairy tales and fables including “Little Red Riding Hood,” “The Three Little Pigs,” “Rapunzel,” “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe,” “Paul Bunyan,” Peter Pan, and The Little Engine that Could. Adults and children alike will delight in interactive features that bring this display to life.

Light Up Night Downtown November 2020 One of the largest holiday celebrations in the country and the region’s biggets event. This unique all-Pittsburgh celebration kicks off the holiday season with one magical night of a thousand stars featuring legendary area performers on multiple stages, including Market Square and the rockin’ Bridge Party over the Allegheny River. downtownpittsburgh.com

Kennywood’s Holiday Lights Kennywood November and December weekends 2020 During the holidays, Kennywood opens its gates for a lavish, one-of-a-kind treat that features spectacular light displays, a special Christmas light show set to music, Christmas carolers, holiday themed rides, performances by local choirs, delicious holiday foods, visits with Santa Claus and much more. kennywood.com

December

Winter Flower Show Phipps Conservatory November TBD through January TBD, 2021

Evergreens lit with tens of thousands of softly glowing LED lights and close to 2,000 festive poinsettias are displayed. phipps.conservatory.org

First Night Pittsburgh Downtown December 31, 2020 6PM-Midnight

Highmark First Night Pittsburgh, a production of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, is an arts-focused and family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration in downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. It is the largest single-day celebration in the region offering around 150 events at nearly 50 indoor and outdoor locations within the 14-block Cultural District. firstnightpgh.org

Beaver County Festival of Trees Beaver Falls November TBD, 2020 December TBD, 2020 A collection of holiday decorated Christmas Trees and wreaths available for sale. beavercountyfestivaloftrees.org

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