Pittsburgh Rock 'n Roll Legends Awards To Honor New Class

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Pittsburgh is known around the world for many things, but the city has a rich history when it comes to music too.

The upcoming Pittsburgh Rock 'n Roll Legends Awards will honor that rich history.

The voters have spoken and the headliners for 2016 are a pair of modern era legends - Joe Grushecky and Billy Price.

Price is known as the "blue-eyed soul man." For decades, he has entertained and has 15 albums to his credit.

"There's ups and downs in the music business as in any business, and to be recognized like this is a real thrill and as I say, a real validation that all the hard work and the dedication have been kind of worth it," Price said.

Grushecky and Price beat out other nominees, including Rusted Root and The Clarks.

The legacy legend for this year is The Skyliners. To qualify, the band had to have 40-plus years of history and they have that and more.

No list of doo-wop favorites is complete without them.

Pat DiCesare is credited with bringing The Beatles to the Civic Arena in 1964. In 1973, he paired with Rich Engler to make DiCesare Englerf one of the nation's premiere concert promoters.

DiCesare will be honored at this year's show as a music industry professional.

And someone has to talk about all this amazing music, right?

Sean McDowell of WDVE radio has been on Pittsburgh's airwaves since 1978 -- and is the inductee as the music broadcaster.

The common tie is rock music, which speaks to everyone.

"It just accesses a part of our spirit that there is just no other pathway into it," Price said.

All the honorees will be at Stage AE for a show on April 28. Money raised will benefit the Cancer Caring Center.

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