Famous Pittsburgh Musicians, Rappers and Pop Singers - Pittsburgh Article

Discover Legendary Pittsburgh Musicians 

In the 1950’s, DJ’s such as Porky Chedwick, Mary Dee, Sir Walter, Three D Lee (Lee Doris) and Bill Powell
were bona fide hit makers and had considerable power as they personally chose the records they played. Very unlike today’s pre-programmed playlists. Porky Chedwick, Daddio of the Raddio, spun wax for what later became WAMO in the back of a Homestead candy store. He had a local cult following and his playlist was influential nationwide.

Pittsburgh Local Music

Local groups from the area began to have an impact on airwaves across the country when Pittsburgh label Fee Bee released the Del Vikings’ “Come Go With Me,” in 1957 and it hit #4 on the charts. The Skyliners had a huge hit with “Since I Don’t Have You,” in 1958, which is still a standard on the oldies circuit.

Pittsburgh eventually ended up being a great test market for new songs. Labels assumed that if they could sell several thousand copies in Pittsburgh they could multiply that many times in much bigger markets, such as New York City.

Click Here to Find More Pittsburgh Local Bands that Made it Big!

In the 60’s doo wop and vocal groups gave way to the British invasion and Pittsburgh’s prominence in the current music scene faded a bit. By the 70’s, Pittsburgh was back on the map though as a local club located in Oakland, The Decade, began featuring local groups and musicians.

The Decade fostered a few great bands that would become prominent throughout the Decade, including Diamond Reo, who would tour with Ted Nugent and Kiss. In the late 70’s a new band featuring Joe Gruschecky, the Brick Alley Band, surfaced and they later morphed into the Iron City Houserockers and had a string of successful releases that were critically acclaimed and produced by the likes of Ian Hunter and Steve Van Zandt. Joe is still a local favorite, plays shows in the area and consistently makes an occasional appearance with Bruce Springsteen.

Famous Pittsburgh Pop Singers

No list of Pittsburgh pop singers would be complete without mentioning Donnie Iris, who hit big in the early 80’s with his hit "Ah Leah!" and followed with another hit album “King Cool” the next year in 1982. Donnie also still plays the occasional show and is a local favorite. Pittsburgh’s bands and disc jockeys played a major role in the development of the sound of early and later day Rock and Roll.

Today, Pittsburgh-based artists continue to influence mainstream music. This icludes Rusted Root, female singers from Pittsburgh like Christina Aguilera and Daya, as well as famous rappers from Pittsburgh like Mac Miller, Devin Miles and Wiz Khalifa, who are all making their mark on the current music and larger Hip Hop music scene.

What's Going on in Pittsburgh Music Today?

Recently, the Pittsburgh Rock and Roll Legends Awards were created to honor local individuals who have been instrumental in the Pittsburgh music scene. A permanent display of all honorees, which is updated with each new induction, is hung at the Hard Rock Café in Station Square.

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