The Cancer Caring Center has created the Pittsburgh Rock ’N Roll Hall of Fame and, working with The Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh, is planning a major celebration where each year, an influential member of the Pittsburgh rock scene will be honored with an induction ceremony, and their name added to a permanent plaque mounted at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Rick Engler will be the first inductee. A band of Pittsburgh all star rockers will perform including Donnie Iris, B.E. Taylor, Joe Grushecky, Scott Blasey, Hermie Granati, Rick Witkowski, Joffo Simons, and Art Nardini. Rick Engler and Hermie performed together as members of the Grains of Sand / Phweet Woo in the early 1970s. With some encouragement Rich may come out of retirement to play a song or two.
Joel Peresman, President and CEO, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, is coming to present the award to Rich. A video retrospective of Rich’s career with congratulation messages from rock celebrities and music industry execs will be shown. Steve Hansen and Sean McDowell of WDVE will emcee the event. Steve is helping to write the show. WDVE and KDKA-TV will also be promoting the event. Ed Traversari is assisting with production of the event and the video.
Proceeds will go to the Cancer Caring Center who has provided free services to cancer patients and their families for 25 years. Services include 19 neighborhood support sites, individual counseling, a food bank, art and journaling therapy, “Live Well with Cancer” programs and much more. Information is available at Cancercaring.org
Other sponsors of the event include:
UPMC/UPMC Health Plan – title sponsors
Young Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation
PGT Trucking
Wright Automotive Group
PITTOHIO
Hollowood Sound and Music
Pittsburgh Music Magazine 