Metallica donates to Romanian pediatric cancer hospital
BUCHAREST, Romania — Metallica says it has donated $277,600 to support the construction of Romania’s first pediatric oncology hospital. The American heavy metal band, which is very popular in Romania, made the donation ahead of their sold-out show Wednesday in Romania’s National Arena, according to the band’s All Within My...
Aretha Franklin’s cancer doctors recall her grace, gritVideo
Regardless of her reputation as a performer, Aretha Franklin ‘s cancer doctors say she was no diva as a patient. As the anniversary of her death approaches, two of her doctors tell The Associated Press that the Queen of Soul handled the diagnosis and treatment with grace — and the...
Pittsburgh’s hip-hop community forms board to support local acts
The shooting at a July 13 concert at Nova Place was the final straw for Jeff “DJ Chevy” Cobbs. The Braddock native had already been working for a year on finding ways to recognize, resolve and prevent issues faced by the local hip-hop community. After a fight escalated and led...
5 decades in, Doobie Brothers still rocking ahead of Pittsburgh-area showVideo
For a band with a long history and a big catalog of hits, the trick is to give audiences what they want without getting stale creatively. Founding member Tom Johnston says the Doobie Brothers have been able to walk that fine line. The band, with hits like “China Grove” and...
Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr. head ‘Up, Up and Away’ to Palace TheatreVideo
Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. are marking more than 50 years of making beautiful music together, from their days as founding members of the popular band Fifth Dimension through their ongoing career as a duo. They also are celebrating 50 years of marriage, having tied the knot on July...
Jack White returns to Pittsburgh with The Raconteurs for frenzied, upbeat concert
Jack White and his band The Raconteurs blew into Pittsburgh on Tuesday night for a raucous, straight-ahead rock concert that kept a lively crowd bobbing their heads and singing along through the very last song of a 100-minute set. As daylong rainstorms finally passed through Western Pennsylvania, White and his...
45 years ago, ‘unknown band’ Rush played Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena
The concert promoter didn’t want them, the lead singer was so buzzed he didn’t know how they did, and their performance garnered only a single sentence in a review published in the Valley News Dispatch a week later. Rush was an unknown band from Canada when they played the Civic...
Drake breaks his own No. 1 record with ‘Care Package’ compilation
What goes around comes back around again — literally, for Drake. The platinum-selling hip-hop icon debuted in the Billboard 200 top spot yet again with his latest offering, “Care Package.” The compilation project — containing many unofficially released tracks only heard via SoundCloud or big box retailer’s bonus CD packages...
The Raconteurs plan phone-free concert at Pittsburgh’s Stage AE
The 21st-century concert experience largely means having one’s focus on the stage compromised by the glow from someone’s cellphone, or having a view obscured by people taking photos or making video recordings of their favorite song. That won’t be the case at Stage AE on Tuesday night, however, when Jack...
Missy Elliott will receive MTV Video Vanguard Award
Missy Elliott, one of the most iconic players in the history of music videos, will receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards. MTV announced Monday that Elliott will also perform Aug. 26 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Since her debut video...
Lil Nas X’s ‘Old Town Road’ sets more Billboard chart records
NEW YORK — Lil Nas X is galloping his way to two new records on the Billboard charts thanks to the massive success of “Old Town Road.” The song that beat out Mariah Carey and “Despacito” to become the longest-running No. 1 hit in the history of the Hot 100...
Former Eagles guitarist Don Felder will perform at Jergel’sVideo
Don Felder, former lead guitarist with The Eagles, will perform at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, 103 Slade Lane, Warrendale, in a Jergels & Drusky Entertainment show. Doors will open at 5 p.m. for early entry and 6 p.m. for the general public for the 8 p.m. Feb. 7 show. A limited...
Korn show unlike anything fans have witnessedVideo
As a member of a band that’s been playing amphitheaters and other large venues for the better part of a 25-year history, Korn bassist Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu has seen his share of spectacular visual concert productions. Although his initial reaction was underwhelming, Fieldy (as he’s known to Korn’s fans) says...
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...
