Rich Kienzle
Rich Kienzle is an award-winning music critic, journalist and historian and author of three books. A former contributing editor of "Country Music Magazine" and "No Depression," his work has appeared in "Texas Monthly," the "Austin American-Statesman," "Fretboard Journal" and the "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette." He has also authored liner notes for numerous historic CD reissues.
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Look at western Pennsylvania’s smaller and a few larger concert venues and you’ll find an endless stream of tribute concerts. -
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and four-time Super Bowl champion Terry Bradshaw once had a rollercoaster of a country music career. -
Like many Pittsburgh jazz luminaries, he emerged from humble beginnings. But while most found fame only after leaving town, Johnny Costa (1922-1996), remained here only to achieve immortality as both a musicians’ musician and vital part of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” -
For a few years in the 1960s, a building in Downtown Pittsburgh housed Gateway Records, an independent record company that produced music by local bluegrass bands, polka performers and the beloved “Chiller Theater.” -
It’s a quintessential Pittsburgh tale, involving a surging baseball team, one of its most beloved members, a proud community, enthusiastic sponsor, iconic, locally-based ad agency, revered Pittsburgh musicians, a 110-year tune penned by a Pittsburgh icon and… a bittersweet epilogue. -
Last year, Mosaic Records, the respected jazz reissue label, released a six-CD box set of recordings by pianist Conrad Yeatis “Sonny” Clark (1931-1963), originally released by Blue Note records from 1957 to 1961. No longer a cult figure, Clark is now viewed worldwide as both a titan of the hard bop style and a Pittsburgh jazz icon. -
As the British Invasion continued and folk-rock exploded in 1965, Pittsburgh swelled with pride when Turtle Creek’s The Vogues, a vocal quartet formerly known as the Val-Airs, scored nationally with a cover of Petula Clark’s “You’re the One” on Herb Cohen’s and Nick Cenci’s local Co & Ce label. The follow-up, “Five O’Clock World,” proved even more enduring. -
Musical legends in nearly all genres have graced the stage at Downtown Greensburg’s Palace Theatre, some at pivotal times in their careers. -
A rock and country guitar fountainhead since the 50’s, James Burton’s influence spans genres and generations. -
Two blocks west of the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg, a Pennsylvania Department of Health building occupies 233 West Otterman Street. Nearly 58 years ago, an earlier building at that location was the site of rock music history.