Song: “Give a Little More” Artist: Phyllis Hyman Album: You Know How to Love Me Year Released: 1979 Genre: R&B Local Connection: Born in Philadelphia in 1949 and moved to and raised in Pittsburgh shortly after her birth Did you know? Phyllis Hyman received the first ever music scholarship to Robert Morris College in 1967 […]

Song: “I’ll Be the One” Artist: Brownie Mary Album: Naked Year Released: 1998 Genre: Pop/Rock Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 1993 Did you know? Brownie Mary was named after a hospital volunteer named Mary Rathbun, who was arrested several times for handing out marijuana brownies to patients suffering from cancer and AIDS PittSongs […]

Song: “Skylark” Artist: Earl Hines and his Orchestra Album: 78 RPM Release Year Released: 1942 Genre: Jazz Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1903 Did you know? Earl Hines was called the greatest piano player in the world by Count Basie PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support Earl Hines #PittSongs #SupportPGHMusic

Song: “Cosmic Dust” Artist: Mailbox Office Album: Single Release Year Released: 2022 Genre: Experimental Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 2021 Did you know? Mailbox Office produced their first recordings on a Mac in high school and continues to do so at Penn State PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support Mailbox […]

Song: “Groove Is in the Heart” Artist: Lady Miss Kier (Deee-Lite) Album: World Clique Year Released: 1990 Genre: House Local Connection: Lead singer Lady Miss Kier was born in Youngstown, OH in 1963 and lived in Pittsburgh as a young child Did you know? Lady Miss Kier moved to New York City at the age of 17 to […]

Song: “Resistance” Artist: Zao Album: All Else Failed Year Released: 1996 Genre: Metalcore Local Connection: Formed in West Virginia in 1993, the band later relocated to Pittsburgh Did you know? Zao comes from the Greek word (ζάω), which means “alive” or “to have life” PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support Zao #PittSongs #SupportPGHMusic

Song: “What’ll I Do for Satisfaction” Artist: Johnny Daye Album: Single Release Year Released: 1967 Genre: Soul Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1948 Did you know? Johnny Daye was taken to Stax Records after being discovered in Pittsburgh by Otis Redding PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support Johnny Daye #PittSongs #SupportPGHMusic

Song: “Positively Lost Me” Artist: The Rave-Ups Album: Town + Country Year Released: 1985 Genre: New Wave/Power Pop Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 1979 Did you know? The Rave-Ups appeared in the 1986 movie Pretty in Pink playing in a club scene performing two of their original songs PittSongs is a non-chronological history […]

Song: “I Love Every Little Thing About You” Artist: Syreeta Album: Syreeta Year Released: 1972 Genre: R&B/Detroit Soul Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1946 Did you know? Syreeta Wright married Stevie Wonder in 1970 eventually divorcing 18 months later in 1972 but still remained close friends and collaborators for the next two decades PittSongs […]

Song: “Viennese Popular Song: The Old Refrain” Artist: Vera Barstow Album: 78 RPM Year Released: 1920 Genre: Instrumental Local Connection: Born near Pittsburgh in 1891 Did you know? Vera Barstow fell ill in the 1918 flu pandemic while in France but survived to live until her death in 1975 at age 84 PittSongs is a non-chronological history […]

Song: “Nokomis (Trio)” Artist: Richard D Johnson Album: Here I Am Year Released: 2013 Genre: Jazz Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1975 Did you know? In 2005, Richard Johnson became a musical director for the Atlanta Hawks. This position allowed him the chance to put together a Hip-Hop instrumental quartet which performed during the in […]

Song: “Wedding Ring” Artist: The Affordable Floors Album: Drumming on the Walls Year Released: 1989 Genre: New Wave Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 1984 Did you know? In 1986 the Affordable Floors beat out 15 other bands in a live competition to win the Tri-State Rock Competition at the Graffiti Showcase. Their prize […]

Song: “In gemächlicher Bewegung, ohne Hast” Artist: André Previn Album: Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 4 Year Released: 1979 Genre: Orchestral Local Connection: Conductor for The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from 1976-1984 Did you know? André Previn was nominated for 11 Academy Awards. He won four times, in 1958, 1959, 1963 and 1964. He is one of the […]

Song: “Fuck You Very Much” Artist: Dejah Monea Album: Flowers and Dopamine Year Released: 2020 Genre: R&B/Soul Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1999 Did you know? Dejah Monea attended Pittsburgh CAPA and then Point Park University where she was chosen as the Pioneer Records Star of 2019-2020 year PittSongs is a non-chronological history of […]

Song: “Tico Tico” Artist: Ethel Smith Album: 78 RPM Single Year Released: 1944 Genre: Samba Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1902 Did you know? Ethel Smith was married to Hollywood actor Ralph Bellamy from 1945 to 1947, at the height of her fame, and their acrimonious divorce made headlines PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh […]

Song: “Rhythm is a Dancer” Artist: Thea Austin Album: The Madman’s Return (SNAP!) Year Released: 1992 Genre: Dance/House Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1960 Did you know? Thea Austin has been a staunch global advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and cure as well as global women’s health issues PittSongs is a non-chronological history of […]

Song: “Come Go with Me” Artist: The Del-Vikings Album: Come Go with The Del-Vikings Year Released: 1956 Genre: Doo-Wop Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 1955 Did you know? “Come Go with Me” was featured in the films American Graffiti (1973), Diner (1982), Stand by Me (1986), Joe Versus the Volcano (1990), and Set It Up (2018) PittSongs is a non-chronological history of […]

Song: “Don’t Start a Band” Artist: Short Fictions Album: Single Release Year Released: 2022 Genre: Melodic emo/punk Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 2015 Did you know? Since its inception, Short Fictions has had several different band members in the line-up, the only constant being songwriter Sam Treber. PittSongs is a non-chronological history of […]

Song: “Coming In From The Cold” Artist: Bob Marley and the Wailers Album: Live Forever: September 23, 1980 * Stanley Theatre * Pittsburgh, PA Year Released: 2011 Genre: Reggae Local Connection: Bob Marley’s last ever concert eight months before his untimely death at age 36 Did you know? “Get Up Stand Up”, Bob Marley’s last […]

Song: “Zaro Chayo” Artist: Moshe Taubé Album: Original Cantorial Masterpieces Year Released: 1968 Genre: Cantorial Local Connection: Moved to Pittsburgh in 1965 and became Cantor at Congregation Beth Shalom Did you know? He and his father were saved from the Kraków-Płaszów concentration camp in 1945 by the actions of Oskar Schindler PittSongs is a non-chronological history of […]