1960 to 2000

Chronology of events in Pittsburgh Music and Pittsburgh from 1960 to 2000.

Sept 16, 1964 Civic Arena

1960's the British Invasion - Vocal Groups - Garage Rock

The early 1960s began with major shifts in the popularity of several music genres. The popularity of jazz declined and many jazz venues closed. The Doo-Wop Era ends with final hurrahs from the Marcels with their classic song "Blue Moon". Alan Livingston signs the Beatles to Capital Records in 1963. With the appearance of Beatles and the Rolling Stones on Ed Sullivan in 1964 British Invasion Pop Rock becames the most popular form of music. Record sales jump 35% and every boy wants to be a Beatle. The Civic Arena is built and hosts the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Dave Clark Five. The Fantastic Dee Jays, the Fenways, and the Racket Squad score regional hits with their Brit Pop tunes. Tommy James and the Shondells break out of Pittsburgh to become one of the top selling bands of the 1960s.

Soul and R&B reached their heights of popularity with the sounds of Motown and Philly International. Bassist Bob Babbitt became one of the Motown Funk Brothers and played his funky beat on hundreds of Motown hits with Steve Wonder, Marvin Gay, the Supremes and more. Johnny Daye, of whom critics say may have been the best blue-eyed soul singer of the '60s. recorded the classic Stax Records R&B tracks “What’ll I Do”, “Stay Baby Stay”, “I Need Somebody” and ”I Love Love” backed by Steve Cropper, Issac Hayes and members of Booker T and the MGs. He was discovered by Otis Redding. The Jaggerz, working with Philadelphia international producers Gamble and Huff score a regional hit In 1969 with the the Steals Brothers song "Gotta Find My Way Back Home" that sold 100,00 copies.

Pittsburgh vocalists and vocalist groups such as Bobby Vinton, Lou Christie, Adam Wade, Dean Martin, the Vogues, and the Lettermen hit the charts. Top 40 radio stations KDKA, KQV. WZUM, and WAMO spinning pop, rock, and soul hits dominated the airwaves. The 45 single is king. Teen dances and TV dance shows such as Clark Race's Dance Party and Terry Lee's Come Alive thrive on Pittsburgh Television. The Arondies of '69' fame and the Swamp Rats record a series of Garage Band classics that are produced by Terry Lee. The Igniters sign with Atlantic Records.

1970's -Free Form Rock, R&B, and Jazz

With the rise of FM Radio in the 1970s album oriented rock leads to the decline of the 45 single and Top 40 radio. WDVE goes on the air in 1971. WYDD, where DJ Herschel began his long career, and WYJZ became free form radio meccas. Those stations launch the careers of Glass Harp and Crack the Sky. Glass Harp, with legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy, were pioneers of jam rock. Crack The Sky's first album was named "debut album of the year" by Rolling Stone Magazine and the release 5 albums. Bassist Gary Van Scyoc records with John Lennon and the band Elephant's Memory on Lennons 1972 release "Sometime in New York City"

R&B Thrives. The Jaggerz score a number 2 hit with the Rapper and Wild Cherry goes Number 1 with "Play that Funky Music". Q scores a hit record with their soulful R&B dance tune “Dancin’ Man” in 1977. Diamond Reo has a Top 40 hit with a Marvin Gaye cover. The Steals Brothers working for Altantic Records and Philadelphia International write a string of hit songs "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" for the Spinners, "Love Thang" and "Passion and Pain" for First Choice, "One Beautiful Day" for Ecstacy, and "Honeybee" for Gloria Gaynor. "Could It Be In Love", which was a number 4 hit, became an all time R&B classic recorded by dozens of artists. Phyllis Hyman came to national attention with the Top 30 R&B hit “Betcha By Golly Wow” and was “named Best New R&B Vocalist of 1977. Hyman released a string of hit R&B singles and three hit albums.

In Jazz George Benson and Stanley Turrentine score number 1 hit jazz fusion songs and albums. Benson's landmark 1976 ``Breezin' '' was the first album in history to simultaneously hold the No. 1 spots on the Pop, Jazz, and R&B charts. It is the best-selling jazz album of all time and won three three Grammy’s uitarist Joe Pass won his first Grammy. Sax player Eric Kloss is backed by Chick Corea on his most acclaimed album.

Pittsburgh area natives Papa John Creach and Joey Covington join the Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna. Drummer Chris Frantz joins the Talking Heads. Drummer Vinnie Colaiuta joins Frank Zappa's band.

1980's -Classic Rock Supergroups, Punk, and New Wave

In the 1980s rock supergroups roam the earth. Bret Michaels forms Poison and Reb Beach becomes the guitarist for Winger. WDVE program directors John McGhan and Dave Lang give airplay to the Granati Brothers, the Houserockers, the Silencers, Donnie Iris, and B.E. Taylor launching their national careers. The Granati Brothers, who got their start packing Morry's Speakeasy, sign with A&M and tour with the mighty Van Halen Brothers. The Houserockers start their reign at the Decade earn critical aclaim for their MCA albums from the Rolling Stone and Village Voice. The Silencers, who started at the Fat City Lounge, became new wave stars on the newly launched MTV. Donnie Iris gets a number 2 hit with "Ah Leaha". B.E. Taylor hits the national charts with "Vitamin L" and "Karen". Norman Nardini releases an album on CBS. Trent Reznor's Nine Inch Nails hit it big with a platinum album.

The Punk Scene emerged in Pittsburgh in 1980. Carsickness and the Cardboards played the first punk gig at the Electric Banana on a cold Monday night in January of 1980. The Banana became the home of the popular punk and new wave bands ATS, Kids After Dark, The Wretches, the Cynics, the Affordable Floors, Hector in Paris, and the Rave-Ups,

1990s Showcases and Pop Superstars

In the 1990s Rusted Root emerges from the Graffiti Showcase with their international hit song "Send Me on My Way" and go on tour with the Grateful Dead before they become headliners. The Clarks become a regional powerhouse. Bruce Springsteen produces Joe Grushecky and performs with him. Guitarist Paul Gilbert scores a number one hit “To Be With You” from his band Mr. Big's 1991 “Lean Into It” CD Chris Kirkpatrict sells millions of records as the founder of the boy band N'Sync. Shanice's single “I Love Your Smile” is a number one hit in twenty two countries. Christina Aguilera goes platinum to become a superstar diva. Classical pianists Earl Wild and Bryon Janis are hononred as two of the "Great Pianists of the 20th Century". The PSO wins a Grammy. Marvin Hamslisch becomes the director of the Pittsburgh Pops.