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 of Pittsburgh music

Support The Rave-Ups
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMusic

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 is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

Support Syreeta
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMusic

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 of Pittsburgh music

Support Vera Barstow
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMusic

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 game play for all 92 season games

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

Support Richard D Johnson
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMusic

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 was a recording session and the pressing of 1000 CDs

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

Support The Affordable Floors
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMusic

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 few composers to have accomplished the feat of winning back-to-back Oscars, and one of only two to have done so on two occasions. He was the first person in the history of the Academy Awards to receive three nominations in one year (for the 1960 awards)

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

Support André Previn
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMusic

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 Pittsburgh music

Support Dejah Monea
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMusic

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 music

Support Ethel Smith
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMusic

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 Pittsburgh music

Support Thea Austin
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMusic

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 Pittsburgh music

Support The Del-Vikings
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMUsic

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 Pittsburgh music

Support Short Fictions
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMusic

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 performed song, was not found until 2000 by Bob Marley Archivists James Wilson and Jack Low. The taper at the show was on the balcony and had 2 tapes for the show. The original soundboard tape was cut during the song “Work” due to it only being a 90-minute tape.

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

Support Bob Marley and the Wailers
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMusic

Yardan is an artist native to coastal Connecticut, a creator of sonic and visual experiences both in and out of the studio. In 2019, Steve Yardan joined forces with a cast of all-star musicians to commence work on his first track of what would develop into a dynamic sonic impression of Tim Buckley’s American folk tune “Buzzin’ Fly”. This infectious, powerhouse version is a contemporary, jam-fired re-imagining of a semi-obscure cut from the 1969 album Happy Sad. This collaboration manifests into vocal and instrumental harmonies that continue to build throughout the performance. Check out the stream below as I thank Yardan (Lead & Rhythm Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Van Halen 1984. My mom brought it home on cassette tape. I pressed play on my little tape recorder and the rest is history!

Your last album bought?
Erika Wennerstrom – Sweet Unknown. She a great songwriter and the fidelity on vinyl is outstanding.

Favorite album of all time?
Exile on Main St. – The Rolling Stones. I know it’s well over-played but it’s one of the few that I do own it on cassette, wax and CD so, there’s no hiding it I guess.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
There likely a pop album from the early 80’s that never should have made it out of the gate but who am I to say? Is David Hasselhoff still huge in Germany?

First concert attended?
Aerosmith with Andrew Hendryx (mandolinist). His mom rented a van and a handful of us middleschoolers rolled up to quite a scene. Boys became men that day.

Last concert?
Hiss Golden Messenger. Tonally awesome. Great songs.

Favorite concert ever?
Yikes! I’ve seen some historic performances but one that sticks out is Roger Waters with Lucius at the Newport Folk Festival a few years back. A sun shower came down in the middle of the set. It was surreal. Also, Marlon Williams at Newport. He was like a young Elvis Presley.

Least favorite concert?
I’ve been to some reggae shows where the band walks in at 11:45 pm, plays 3 tunes and bails. I could name multiple reggae bands that have done this.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Loved my time in Pittsburgh. December 2019. We recorded some vocal parts for “Buzzin’ Fly” and all the post production was performed in the area. On time, I ended up at the Elks Club on banjo night for happy hour then rolled over to bluegrass night at the Park House and sat in with the boys. What a blast! Both places were bumpin’ that night. I also made it to Penguins playoff game once. I feel like scored a solid slice of Pitt a few times.

Thanks, Steve. Sounds like you did have a quintessential Pittsburgh experience. I didn’t hear any mention of the obligatory visit to Primate’s Bros., which in my opinion is a good thing you subject yourself to that.

Support Yardan

Song: “Bad News”

Artist: Kai Roberts

Album: The Great Escape

Year Released: 2019

Genre: Hip-Hop

Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1993

Did you know? Kai Roberts is a producer, artist, as well as a professional mental health speaker

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

Support Kai Roberts
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMusic

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 Pittsburgh music

Support Moshe Taubé
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMusic

Song: “If She Knew What She Wants”

Artist: Jules Shear

Album: The Eternal Return

Year Released: 1985

Genre: Singer-Songwriter

Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1952

Did you know? Jules Shear attended the University of Pittsburgh in the early 1970’s where he distinguished himself with the Pitt Glee Club where he led a special side ensemble called Wooden Music, which used acoustic instruments, in a foreshadowing of helping to conceive and hosting the first 13 episodes of “MTV Unplugged” in 1989

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

Support Jules Shear
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMusic

Song: “Call That”

Artist: Robin Grayson

Album: Hold You Down EP

Year Released: 2020

Genre: R&B

Local Connection: Born and currently resides in Pittsburgh

Did you know? Robin Grayson, along with writing and producing her own material, is a visual artist

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

Support Robin Grayson
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMusic

Song: “Padre, a costoro schiava non sono”

Artist: Herva Nelli

Album: Aida

Year Released: 1949

Genre: Opera

Local Connection: Emigrated from her native Italy to Pittsburgh at the age of 10 in 1919

Did you know? Herva Nelli gave her farewell performance in April 1962, with the Brooklyn Opera Company, at the Academy of Music, in Norma, conducted by Carlo Moresco. In retirement, she acquired a particular reputation as a chef

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

Support Herva Nelli
#PittSongs
#SupportPGHMusic