Paul McCartney hopes Chinese government shuts down wet marketsVideo
Paul McCartney has some thoughts on the health crisis that has upended the entire world. The former Beatle called Howard Stern on Tuesday from Sussex, England, to update the Sirius XM radio host on his well-being during the coronavirus pandemic. McCartney explained that he was “locked down” with his daughter...
Three Rivers Arts Festival canceled as Pittsburgh Cultural Trust extends suspensions
Another signature Pittsburgh event has been canceled. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced Tuesday that the Three Rivers Arts Festival would be axed as the trust’s suspension of events was extended into mid-June because of the coronavirus pandemic. “As we continue to follow the leadership of Gov. Wolf and our public...
Jon Bon Jovi asks kindergartners to ‘Do What You Can’
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — A Florida kindergarten teacher took his virtual classroom to new levels on Monday when rock icon Jon Bon Jovi popped in on a writing lesson about life in the coronavirus quarantine. Last month, the Grammy award-winning 80s rocker released an incomplete version of “Do What...
Palace Theatre announces 3 new late-summer, fall concerts in Greensburg
Looking forward to lifting of coronavirus-related restrictions, The Palace Theatre in Greensburg has scheduled these new late-summer and fall shows: • Ronnie Milsap, July 17 — Grammy-winning country singer and pianist best known for late 1970s and early ’80s hits like “(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me” and “I Wouldn’t Have...
‘Penn State Presents’ airs nightly livestream featuring alumni, students
John Simpkins, head of musical theater at Penn State University, was not happy at having to cancel the performances theater students would have put on this spring due to the coronavirus pandemic. In an effort to continue bringing Nittany Lion students’ talents to the public, Simpkins is hosting “Penn State...
Bocelli says Easter Sunday appearance not a concert for coronavirus: ‘It’s a prayer’
NEW YORK — Andrea Bocelli will sing at the Duomo of Milan on Easter Sunday sending a message of love and hope to the world during the coronavirus pandemic, but the Italian tenor says it’s not a concert. Instead, he calls it a “prayer.” “I received this invitation by the...
Stuck at home, Alesso and Liam Payne still film music videoVideo
The coronavirus has halted many plans in the music industry, from tour cancellations to album pushbacks, but it didn’t stop Grammy-nominated DJ-producer Alesso and former One Direction singer Liam Payne from filming a new music video. The pair joined forces for the new dance song “Midnight” but couldn’t film a...
Coronavirus claims celebrated singer-songwriter John Prine
John Prine, the ingenious singer-songwriter who explored the heartbreaks, indignities and absurdities of everyday life in “Angel from Montgomery,” “Sam Stone,” “Hello in There” and scores of other indelible tunes, died Tuesday at 73. His family announced his death from complications from the coronavirus; he died at Vanderbilt University Medical...
Thursday face masks to aid New York, New Jersey hospitals
Thursday is stepping up to help protect others during the coronavirus pandemic. The New Brunswick, N.J.,-formed band is helping frontline medical workers and essential personnel by pulling merch stock and shipping it to “various grassroots organizations in NJ who will convert them into ‘fabric’ face masks to assist the frontline...
Lady Gaga raises $35M for coronavirus fight, curates all-star TV event
Lady Gaga and advocacy organization Global Citizen have raised $35 million to fight the coronavirus and will launch a TV special featuring Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Billie Eilish to combat the growing virus. Gaga said on Monday that the money was raised in seven days and will benefit The...
Selena Gomez reveals bipolar diagnosis to Miley Cyrus
LOS ANGELES — Selena Gomez opened up about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder during a social media chat with Miley Cyrus. Gomez spoke about her diagnosis during a 20-minute conversation Friday on Cyrus’ “Bright Minded” series on Instagram. The singer says she “realized that I was bipolar” after she recently...
Famous Pittsburghers ‘Rock’ thanks to city’s medical workersVideo
The Pittsburgh medical community is rocking the effort to address the coronavirus outbreak. And now a number of famous Pittsburghers have taken to YouTube to express their thanks for the work. And to remind everyone to stay home. In a video — “We Will Rock You Pittsburgh – Stay Home....
James Taylor postpones Pittsburgh concert, all upcoming dates
James Taylor and His All-Star Band have postponed their upcoming tour, including a June 16 date at PPG Paints Arena. The 26-city tour, with special guest Jackson Browne, was scheduled to kick off May 15 in New Orleans. The tour would have featured tracks from “American Standards,” Taylor’s 19th studio...
Pittsburgh Youth Chorus students create ‘virtual choir’ video performanceVideo
The children of the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus aren’t interested in waiting until the coronavirus pandemic is over to begin making music again. And while all 223 members of the organization’s six choirs weren’t able to fit, 18 students had a chance to be part of its first “virtual choir,” performing...
New Orleans jazz patriarch Ellis Marsalis dead at 85
NEW ORLEANS — Ellis Marsalis Jr., jazz pianist, teacher and patriarch of a New Orleans musical clan that includes famed performer sons Wynton and Branford, has died after battling pneumonia brought by the new coronavirus, one of his sons said late Wednesday. He was 85. Ellis Marsalis III confirmed in...
Fountains of Wayne songwriter dies of coronavirus
Emmy and Grammy-winning musician and songwriter Adam Schlesinger, known for his work with his band Fountains of Wayne and on the TV show “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” died Wednesday after contracting the coronavirus, his attorney said. Schlesinger died at a hospital in upstate New York, his longtime lawyer Josh Grier told The...
Web-a-thon with Bill Deasy, Aubrey Burchell, others benefits emergency fund for artists
Bill Deasy is among the local musicians to play for the Emergency Fund for Artists Web-a-thon 6 p.m. Saturday to raise money for an emergency fund for local performing artists. As covid-19 has decimated the performing arts scene, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is trying to raise money for an...
Justin Bieber postpones Pittsburgh show, ‘Changes’ tour
Justin Bieber joins the long list of artists canceling shows because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Canadian pop star has postponed his tour in support of his new album “Changes,” which was set to come through Pittsburgh at PPG Paints Arena on Aug. 4. “In light of the current public...
Pittsburgh Symphony adds to list of canceled concert dates
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has canceled all concerts through May 21, in accordance with recommended “stay-at-home” orders to limit the spread of covid-19. Concerts that have been canceled are: • May 1-3: PNC Pops “Paul Shaffer” • May 5, 6, 12 and 13: Second Grade Schooltime • May 8-10: BNY...
Elton John-led streaming concert raises $8 millionVideo
The Elton John-led starry benefit concert that featured Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys on Sunday has raised nearly $8 million to battle the coronavirus. The musicians performed from their homes for the hourlong event that aired on Fox and iHeartMedia radio stations. The money will go to Feeding...
Pittsburgh couple’s virus song goes viral on YouTubeVideo
A Pittsburgh couple used their housebound time to fight back at coronavirus with a parody song. Claire and Mel Vatz based their “We’re All Home Bound” on the Simon & Garfunkel classic “Homeward Bound.” The couple sent the video to about 35 friends and family Sunday night. The YouTube video...
Former WYEP ‘Soul Show’ host Stephen Chatman dies of covid-19
Stephen Chatman was a different kind of radio host. His former colleagues at WYEP remember him as easygoing at the microphone — never formal. He spoke to listeners like he was talking with friends, casually and unhurried. “It was that really personal aspect that he brought,” said Michael Canton, WYEP’s...
Fred Rogers Center pairs with guitar maker for fellowship program
The name of a prominent musical instrument maker will grace a newly established fellowship in children’s music at the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College. A grant from Fred and Dinah Gretsch and their family has endowed The Gretsch Fellow in Children’s Music...
Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, more sing from home to raise funds for virusVideo
Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys and Dave Grohl opened their doors — literally — as the musicians performed from their homes for an hour-long benefit concert to raise money for those affected by the coronavirus crisis. Keys kicked off the Sunday event — which also honored health professionals and...
John Prine in critical condition with covid-19 symptoms
NEW YORK — The family of John Prine says the singer-songwriter is critically ill and has been placed on a ventilator while being treated for covid-19-type symptoms. A message posted on Prine’s Twitter page Sunday said the “Angel from Montgomery” singer has been hospitalized since Thursday and his condition worsened...
