Toby Keith’s Pittsburgh-area performances recalled
As the country music world mourns the death of country singer Toby Keith, Pittsburghers can look back on his many performances in and near town. Keith appeared in the Pittsburgh region a total of 13 times, the most recent being a Sept. 27, 2019, concert at Highmark Stadium outside of...
Madonna electrifies with theatrics in Pittsburgh ‘Celebration’ stop
Madonna certainly brought electricity to Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena on Monday night in her “Celebration Tour.” The “Queen of Pop” performed a repertoire spanning her over-40-year career — all while sporting a knee brace. She kicked things off with “Nothing Really Matters” after a slideshow of pictures of her life...
Singer-songwriter Toby Keith dies after battling stomach cancer
NORMAN, Okla. — Toby Keith, a sometimes polarizing figure in country music who crafted an identity around his macho, pro-American swagger, has died. He was 62. The “Beer For My Horses” singer-songwriter, who was battling stomach cancer, died peacefully Monday surrounded by his family, according to a statement posted on...
Ratings for the Grammy Awards hit a sweet note as almost 17 million tune in, up 34% from 2023
NEW YORK — An average of 16.9 million viewers tuned in to see performances by Miley Cyrus and Billie Eilish and watch Taylor Swift make history at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, the largest audience for the telecast in four years and another consecutive annual increase for a show that...
Taylor Swift announces new album while accepting Grammy
LOS ANGELES — Forget her “Reputation.” Taylor Swift has a brand new album coming out. Accepting the Grammy for best pop vocal album, Taylor said she’d been keeping a secret for two years. “My brand new album comes out April 19. It’s called the Tortured Poets Department. I’m going to...
Taylor Swift wins album of the year Grammy for a record 4th timeVideo
LOS ANGELES — Taylor Swift won album of the year at the Grammy Awards for “Midnights,” breaking a record for most wins in the category with four. She began her speech by thanking her producer and friend Jack Antonoff and added, “I would love to tell you this is the...
The 2024 Grammy Awards are here with SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Victoria Monét leading the nominations
LOS ANGELES — The 66th Grammy Awards are set to take place Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, and there’s a lot to be excited about. Women outpace men in the major categories, so expect to see a spotlight on its female nominees. “That’s the same throughout the...
Wayne Kramer, co-founder of revolutionary rock band the MC5, dead at 75Video
NEW YORK — Wayne Kramer, the co-founder of the protopunk Detroit band the MC5 that thrashed out such hardcore anthems as “Kick Out the Jams” and influenced everyone from the Clash to Rage Against the Machine, has died at age 75. Kramer died Friday at Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles,...
‘Nostalgia’ bands draw reliable crowds, spur economic activity
Classic rock band The Guess Who took the stage last night at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg, belting out hits such as “American Woman” and “These Eyes.” Nostalgia is the primary draw for bands of a certain vintage who are looking to capitalize on the magic of classic rock’s heyday....
Country music icon Jason Aldean to open restaurant on Pittsburgh’s North Shore
A country music megastar plans to open a new bar/restaurant in Pittsburgh this year. Jason Aldean’s Kitchen+Bar is opening at the old Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36 location. The new business, at 393 North Shore Drive, is in partnership with TC Restaurant Group, owner of Tequila Cowboy. The nearly 10,000-square-foot venue...
Popular TikTok music pulled in contract dispute
If you were scrolling on TikTok Wednesday night and noticed that certain songs from popular artists like Taylor Swift have disappeared from videos, you weren’t alone. Universal Music group said it would stop licensing its songs to TikTok if the two companies could not reach a new deal, as reported...
5 things to know ahead of Madonna’s Pittsburgh concert
The “Queen of Pop” is coming to Pittsburgh Monday night for the “Celebration Tour.” Madonna, the 65-year-old singer, songwriter and actress, was initially set to perform at PPG Paints Arena on Aug. 7, 2023, but then her concert was postponed. Here are five things you need to know ahead of...
From marching bands to megastars: How the Super Bowl halftime show became a global spectacleVideo
LOS ANGELES — Underneath his umbrella, NFL legend Dan Marino stood nearly drenched on the sideline watching Prince’s epic “Purple Rain” Super Bowl halftime performance in 2007 during a torrential Miami downpour. For Marino, Prince’s iconic show was one the greatest moments in the history of halftime shows — which...
The Guess Who: Current, former members battle in court, public opinion over band’s legacy
Seeing The Guess Who in concert? Well, that depends on who’s telling the story. At what point does a band become just a brand? That’s essentially the question being asked in a very public war of words between current and former members of The Guess Who. The Canadian rockers climbed...
Country singer Riley Green discusses new album, being raised right, and an unreleased song ahead of Pittsburgh showVideo
Country singer Riley Green’s second album, “Ain’t My Last Rodeo,” came out in October, but an upcoming tour will be the first real test of those songs. The tour’s second stop comes Feb. 9 at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh. “I think that my perspective and favorite songs will...
Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny and others may vanish from TikTok as licensing dispute boils over
Universal Music Group, which represents artists including Taylor Swift, Drake, Adele, Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish, says that it will no longer allow its music on TikTok now that a licensing deal between the two parties has expired. UMG said that it had not agreed to terms of a new...
Homecoming: Branford Marsalis new artistic director at New Orleans music center named for his father
NEW ORLEANS — Branford Marsalis, the jazz saxophonist and composer acclaimed for his movie scores, Grammy-winning recordings and his stint as the leader of The Tonight Show band, is taking on the role of educator in a return to his hometown of New Orleans. Marsalis was named Tuesday as the...
Rock band critical of Putin is detained in Thailand, fearful of deportation to Russia
BANGKOK — Members of a rock band that has been critical of Moscow’s war in Ukraine remained locked up Tuesday in a Thai immigration jail, fearful they could be deported to Russia as a reported plan to let them fly to safety in Israel was apparently suspended. The progressive rock...
Chita Rivera, revered and pioneering Tony-winning dancer and singer, dies at 91Video
NEW YORK — Chita Rivera, the dynamic dancer, singer and actress who garnered 10 Tony nominations, winning twice, in a long Broadway career that forged a path for Latina artists and shrugged off a near-fatal car accident, died Tuesday. She was 91. Rivera’s death was announced by her daughter, Lisa...
Elton John and Bernie Taupin to receive the 2024 Gershwin Prize for pop music
NEW YORK — The songwriters who gave us “Your Song,” “Tiny Dancer” and “Rocket Man” will add to their stuffed awards shelf later this year when Elton John and Bernie Taupin are awarded the Gershwin Prize. The Library of Congress said Tuesday that songwriter-performer John and lyricist Taupin will receive...
Banding together: Hampton grad, dad perform side by side in Altered Egos
One of people’s most common fears is public speaking. For folks who have such an aversion, try to imagine public singing. As a member of the band the Altered Egos, Hampton High School graduate Ann Hodos frequently treats audiences to her vocal talents. But she’ll admit to some trepidation as...
Heart, with Cheap Trick, coming to Pittsburgh this springVideo
After a five-year break from the road, Heart is heading out on another tour. The 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, known for songs like “Barracuda,” “Crazy on You” and “Magic Man,” are bringing their Royal Flush tour to Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena on May 23. Heart —...
Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper bringing Freaks on Parade tour to Star LakeVideo
Two rock icons who rely heavily on horror imagery will visit the Pittsburgh region this summer. Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper are continuing their Freaks on Parade tour with a stop on Sept. 3 at the Pavilion at Star Lake. They’ll be joined by industrial metal stalwarts Ministry, as well...
Madonna, Drake highlight February’s top Pittsburgh concerts
The Material Girl and Champagne Papi headline February’s biggest shows in Pittsburgh. Madonna is set for a concert rescheduled from August, while Drake visits for two nights of shows. Here’s a look at the most notable shows coming to the area this month: Top shows Feb. 5: Madonna at PPG...
Packed house sings along to Three Dog Night hits at Carnegie HomesteadVideo
A band with a serendipitously catchy name spotlighting its three lead vocalists once dominated American radio. Three Dog Night scored 21 consecutive Top 40 hits during half a decade starting in 1969, reaching an apex of sorts when Billboard magazine named “Joy to the World” as the No. 1 pop...
