Jerry Weber, founder of Jerry’s Records in Pittsburgh, dies
Jerry Weber, the beloved Pittsburgh purveyor of vinyl, has died. Weber owned Jerry’s Records on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill — a haven for vinylheads and a kingdom of records. “We are devastated to hear of Jerry’s passing,” the record store wrote Saturday on Facebook. “Our beloved founder and Pittsburgh’s...
Free JazzLive gigs returning to Pittsburgh Cultural District
Jazz is on its way back to the Backstage Bar at Theatre Square in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, with the return of BNY Mellon Presents JazzLive. A winter installment of the year-round series kicks off with a performance from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday by Roger Humphries + RH Factor. It will run...
Spotify says it will grant Neil Young’s request to remove music
NEW YORK — Neil Young’s music will be removed from Spotify at his request, following the veteran rock star’s protest over the streaming service airing a popular podcast that featured a figure criticized for spreading covid misinformation. Spotify, in a statement on Wednesday, said that it regretted Young’s decision, “but...
Elton John cancels shows after testing positive for covidVideo
Elton John canceled two upcoming shows in Dallas after testing positive for covid-19. The “I’m Still Standing” singer expressed regret for not being able to perform on Tuesday or Wednesday, but assured fans he followed the science and expects to be on the road to resume his “Farewell Yellow Brick...
Neil Young gives Spotify an ultimatum: Me or Joe RoganVideo
Veteran rocker Neil Young has threatened to remove his music from Spotify unless the streaming giant cuts ties with divisive podcast host Joe Rogan. In an open letter to his management team and record label that has since been deleted from his website, Young criticized Spotify for disseminating “false information”...
Donnie Iris returning to Greensburg for 79th birthday shows
In February 2018, Donnie Iris played three 75th birthday shows at The Palace Theatre. Two years later, he was back for two more birthday shows. On the cusp of turning 79, he’s returning to Greensburg for concerts Feb. 5 and 19. Pittsburgh’s “King of Cool,” who was born Feb. 28,...
Famed Replacements, Guns N’ Roses bassist Tommy Stinson coming to Tarentum
A small venue in a small town like Tarentum is not necessarily the place where you would expect to find a musician of Tommy Stinson’s stature making a tour stop. But on Tuesday night, the former Replacements and Guns N’ Roses bassist will play an intimate, acoustic show at Dry...
Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s Valentine concert has French connections
Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concert could have been titled “The French Connection,” for the Gallic links among the featured composers, but because it will be performed near Valentine’s Day, it’s called “In the Key of Love.” The concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at The Palace Theatre in...
ABBA’s Ulvaeus seeks source of group’s magic with Apple radio show
LOS ANGELES — ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus is launching a radio show on Apple Music, with hopes of figuring out why his songs like “Mamma Mia” and “Dancing Queen” have stayed stuck in the heads of so much of the world for so many decades. The guitarist, singer and co-songwriter from...
‘Stop Right There!’: Ellen Foley recalls epic duet with Meat Loaf
“Stop Right There!” Three words of warning — and three words that Ellen Foley credits with launching her career in music. It was Foley who belted out the words to Meat Loaf about halfway through their eight-and-a-half minute duet “Paradise By the Dashboard Light,” the epic seduction song on his...
Ben Folds announces 2022 Pittsburgh tour stop
Singer/songwriter Ben Folds hasn’t performed in Pittsburgh since the start of the pandemic. But if the title of his current tour is any indication, Folds is very excited about being back in the ‘Burgh. Folds is bringing his “In Actual Person Live for Real Tour” to Heinz Hall on June...
Meat Loaf, ‘Bat Out of Hell’ rock superstar, dies at 74
NEW YORK — Meat Loaf, the heavyweight rock superstar loved by millions for his “Bat Out of Hell” album and for such theatrical, dark-hearted anthems as “Paradise By the Dashboard Light,” “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad,” and “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That),” has died....
Pitt jazz week focuses on local music legend Erroll Garner
The 51st annual Pitt Jazz Seminar and Concert will focus on a local jazz legend, the late Erroll Garner. Running Monday through Jan. 29, the event will feature performances by Pitt jazz students and faculty, a symposium on musicians’ rights, a virtual tour of the Erroll Garner Archive housed at...
‘Pretty Woman’ musical headed for Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center
Broadway regular and Tony Award nominee Adam Pascal will tread the boards of the Benedum Center in “Pretty Woman: The Musical,” coming Feb. 1-6 as part of the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh Series. The national touring cast also features rising Broadway star Olivia Valli, playing the role of Vivian Ward...
Pittsburgh Opera presents dark, fairy tale-based ‘Rose Elf’
Pittsburgh Opera is traveling to the land of make-believe for its next production. “The Rose Elf,” based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, “The Elf of the Rose,” opens Friday at the Bitz Opera Factory, the opera’s headquarters at 2425 Liberty Ave. While it is currently sold out, the...
Storm forces Evanescence to cancel Pittsburgh show
A Pittsburgh tour stop by the rock band Evanescence is among the cultural casualties of the major winter storm in Western Pennsylvania. The group’s concert, scheduled for Monday night at 7 p.m. at the Petersen Events Center on the University of Pittsburgh campus, has been canceled. Evanescence performed Sunday in...
Celine Dion cancels stop at PPG Paints Arena as health woes continue
Celine Dion has canceled the Pittsburgh stop of her “Courage World Tour,” the singer announced Saturday on her website. Dion was expected to perform at PPG Paints Arena on April 20. According to the post, the songstress is dealing with health issues and recovery is taking longer than expected. Dion...
‘Walk the line’ to The Palace in Greensburg for Johnny Cash tributeVideo
He wears the clothes and he sings the songs, but James Tamelcoff isn’t trying to be the Man in Black. He just fronts Cash Unchained: The Ultimate Johnny Cash Experience, coming to The Palace Theatre in Greensburg at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22. “I’m not going to get up onstage and...
‘Trolls Live’ national tour opens this weekend in Pittsburgh
Who doesn’t need a hug right now? The popular movie and television Troll characters will provide plenty of their signature hugs during “Trolls Live,” coming Saturday and Sunday to PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Trolls are “all about positivity and happiness. Every hour on the hour, they love to hug...
Lorenzo Viotti to make Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra debut
The Pittsburgh Symphony’s BNY Mellon Grand Classics subscription series returns on Jan. 14 under the baton of Lorenzo Viotti, principal conductor of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and the Dutch National Opera, making his Pittsburgh debut. A native of Switzerland, the 31-year-old Viotti will conduct BNY Mellon Grand Classics 8, scheduled...
Irish singer Sinead O’Connor’s 17-year-old son found dead
LONDON — Sinead O’Connor’s 17-year-old son, Shane, was found dead in Ireland on Friday after the Irish singer-songwriter notified authorities that he had gone missing. Police said the missing person case was closed after a body was found in the eastern coastal town of Bray, about 12 miles south of...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Jan. 7-9
It’s the weekend. Don’t let the snow stop you from getting out. Pittsburgh RV Show The Pittsburgh RV Show is celebrating its 55th anniversary beginning this weekend at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m....
The Eagles returning to Pittsburgh with ‘Hotel California’ Tour
The legendary rock band The Eagles are extending their “Hotel California” 2022 Tour, adding a concert date for March 26 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The group will perform its iconic “Hotel California” album in its entirety with an accompanying orchestra and choir followed by a greatest hits set....
Theater groups combine for Sondheim tribute at Irwin’s Lamp Theatre
Six area theater companies are joining forces to celebrate the life and work of Stephen Sondheim, the renowned musical theater composer-lyricist who died Nov. 26 at age 91. “For Stephen: A Review in Remembrance of Stephen Sondheim” is scheduled for 8 p.m. Jan. 15 at The Lamp Theatre in Irwin....
Grammys postpone ceremony, citing omicron variant risks
LOS ANGELES — The Grammy Awards were postponed Wednesday weeks before the planned Los Angeles ceremony over what organizers called “too many risks” from the omicron variant, signaling what could be the start of another year of pandemic upheaval for awards season. The attempt at a back-to-normal show had been...