The Music of Pennsylvania dates from the pre-colonial-era through the 21st century. During this time, Pennsylvania has been the birthplace for some of the most prominent musicians of their respective eras and the introduction of entire new genres of music to the nation and world.
The Philly sound of the 1970s is soul music that includes notable Pennsylvania performers Gamble and Huff, The O'Jays, The Stylistics, Teddy Pendergrass, Harold Melvin, and The Delfonics, jazz legends like Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, and John Coltrane. Philadelphia gave to the musical world diverse singers, such as Marian Anderson, Mario Lanza, Solomon Burke, Chubby Checker, Dee Dee Sharp, and the trio performing as The Golden Boys, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, and Fabian Forte, who grew up together in the same Philly neighborhood. Philadelphia was also the birthplace of American Bandstand, and the home of Cameo-Parkway Records and the famed Philadelphia Orchestra.
The tradition of Pennsylvania's history with music pre-dates the American Revolution. Philadelphia became especially renowned for musical development and was the home of the esteemed Alexander Reinagle, John Christopher Moller, Rayner Taylor, and Susannah Haswell Rowson. Reinagle became the most influential figure in Philadelphia's musical life, organizing a number of concerts, organizations and musical events. Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was a notable composer of the period. One of his compositions, "My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free", is well-remembered as the first art song from the United States (though this is disputed); it is, however, lacking in originality and innovation to set it apart from European compositions.
During the 19th century, Stephen Foster, one of the most popular American songwriter of the century, was born in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh
Several concert bands formed in the 19th century during the rise in popularity of community bands, including the Allentown Band, based in Allentown, and The Emigsville Band, based in Emigsville.
Pennsylvania musicians and groups include:
21st century
During the 21st century, major bands and musicians from Pennsylvania have include: Amish Outlaws, a cover band from Lancaster Breaking Benjamin, a hard rock band from Wilkes-Barre CKY, a rock band from West Chester Justin Guarini from Doylestown Halestorm, a Grammy-winning hard rock band from Red Lion Motionless in White, a metalcore band from Scranton Christina Perri, a singer-songwriter from Philadelphia, and her older brother, Nick Perri, former lead guitarist Shinedown and Silvertide who currently plays in SINAI P!nk, a rock and popular musician from Doylestown, who has had four #1 Hot 100 hits, including "Raise Your Glass" Taylor Swift, a popular and country musician from Wyomissing The War on Drugs, an indie-rock band from Philadelphia
20th century 1990s
Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor is from Mercer, and Nine Inch Nails former drummer and programmer Chris Vrenna is from Erie. Live, who achieved commercial success with their second album Throwing Copper, are from York. Fuel, despite forming in Henderson, Tennessee, moved to Harrisburg in 1994, where they were eventually signed. Acoustic-pop singer Jeffrey Gaines is from Harrisburg. The alternative band, The Ocean Blue formed in Hershey. Death metal band Incantation are from Johnstown. The Clarks, a rock/pop band who achieved major success in the 1990s with the songs "Born too late", "Penny on the floor", "Cigarette", "Better Off", formed at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana. Rusted Root, a jam band who has also had a prolific music career with the songs "Send Me on My Way", "Ecstasy", "Heaven", and "Free my soul", are from Pittsburgh. Train lead singer Patrick Monahan from Erie co-wrote the song "Drops of Jupiter", which won two Grammy Awards in 2002. G. Love and Special Sauce, who has had a string of successes with songs like "Stepping Stone" and "Recipe", is from Philadelphia. Bloodhound Gang, Cinderella, and Britny Fox are both from suburban Philadelphia. Ween is from New Hope. Christina Aguilera, from suburban Pittsburgh, had five #1 Hot 100 hits, including "Genie in a Bottle" in 1999.
1980s Hall & Oates are from Philadelphia and attended Temple University. They had six #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits, including "Maneater" in 1982. Todd Rundgren hails from the Philadelphia suburb of Upper Darby Township, which is also home of the world-famous Tower Theater. Probably best known for his 1984 hit "I Can Dream About You", Harrisburg native Dan Hartman began his career in the 60's and became a well known performer, songwriter, and producer. Including writing the song "Living in America" for James Brown from the movie Rocky IV. The Vogues from the Turtle Creek, near Pittsburgh, scored with the hit "Five O'Clock World" and several other hits. The Jaggerz, named after a Pittsburgh English term for goofing off, had a hit in 1970 with "The Rapper" Pittsburgh's Iron City Houserockers, kicked off the decade with immense critical acclaim for their first three albums (Love's So Tough, Have a Good Time But Get Out Alive and Blood On The Bricks). Associated with the heartland rock subgenre and with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, John Mellencamp, and Tom Petty, the Houserockers were regarded by many as both grittier and more kinetic. Although commercial success eluded the group, leader Joe Grushecky and the later incarnation of the band remain popular regional artists. In the Houserockers' wake came a number of other Pittsburgh area bands, including Norman Nardini and the Tigers, whose minor hit "If You Don't Love Me (Someone Will)" put the band briefly on the pop map. More recent entries in the heartland rock scene (sometimes counted as Grushecky protégés) include Bill Toms and Hard Rain and Tom Breiding who have strong local followings. Donnie Iris, a former member of The Jaggerz from Ellwood City, had national success in 1980 with "Ah! Leah!", "Love Is Like a Rock", and a string of subsequent minor hits from 1980 to 1984. The Stabilizers from Erie were a duo with sessions players for touring. They released a full album with many memorable songs. The song "One Simple Thing" went to number 21. The song "Tyranny" with hard hitting lyrics on how governments control their people had a lot of radio play but failed to chart. The song had two different versions that both got airplay. "Sounds Of The Underground" was never released as a single but was played by many local fans. The Cynics were a garage rock band formed in Pittsburgh in 1983. They started their own label, Get Hip Records. The Hooters, from Philadelphia, broke into nationwide attention when they became the opening band at Live Aid, where they performed "All You Zombies," which soon after became their first hit single. The album Nervous Night followed with several more major hits like "And We Danced" and "Day By Day" in 1985 and 1986. Hair metal band Poison are from Mechanicsburg. They had a #1 Hot 100 hit with "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" in 1988. Tammi Terrell ("Ain't No Mountain High Enough") was from Philadelphia and attended the University of Pennsylvania. Philly Soul became a staple of 1970s R&B with such Pennsylvania artists as Gamble and Huff, The O'Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and The Delfonics. The female-singing group, Labelle, led by Philadelphia's Patti LaBelle, had a #1 Hot 100 hit with "Lady Marmalade" in 1974. This song was covered in 2001 by Christina Aguilera and Pink (singer), both Pennsylvania natives, and by Lil' Kim, which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1972, Billy Paul from Philadelphia had a No. 1 hit with "Me and Mrs. Jones". Violinist Papa John Creach, who played with Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship, was born in Beaver Falls. In 1979, The Sharks were formed in Lancaster. In 1985, they won an MTV Basement Tapes competition. Formed in 1964, Harrisburg-based The Magnificent Men, became the only white act to ever headline New York City's legendary Apollo Theatre and the other major stops on the rhythm and blues Chitlin' Circuit. In 1967, they backed up James Brown as he filled in for an absent headliner. Despite the last minute nature of the arrangement, Brown was floored by the band's dexterity. The following year, in 1968, they became the only outside group to play on a stage with the Motortown Revue at a show in Cleveland. Artist Andy Warhol, born in Pittsburgh, produced many record covers, including album art for The Velvet Underground and The Rolling Stones.
1950s
Jimmy Preston, from Chester, released "Rock the Joint" in 1949. Lee Andrews & the Hearts were a doo-wop quintet formed in Philadelphia in 1953. Bill Haley & His Comets from Chester had a #1 hit with "Rock Around the Clock" in 1955. This was a number-one single in the U.S. and was the first successful rock and roll song. The Skyliners were a doo-wop group formed in Pittsburgh in 1958. Punk rock Philadelphia has a flourishing new wave scene that include local acts The Vels and Regressive Aid. Hardcore punk band Electric Love Muffin was from Philadelphia. Later bands like The Dead Milkmen from Philadelphia gained some national success. Notable crust punk group Aus-Rotten is from Pittsburgh. Flag of Democracy from Ambler have released seven albums since 1982 and toured the world. Renowned pop-punk act The Wonder Years are from Landsdale. Pittsburgh's Anti-Flag had a local hardcore following. Metalcore bands such as August Burns Red and Texas in July are from the Lancaster area. Punk rock band The Menzingers are from Scranton. Folk punk/gypsy punk singer/songwriter Erik Petersen of Mischief Brew is from Philadelphia, and penned the song "Pennsyltucky" in homage to the region.
Hip hop, R&B, and neo soul
Hip hop music, R&B music, and neo soul music are popular elements of entertainment in Pennsylvania, including: Will Smith and his hip-hop partnership with Jazzy Jeff, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, are from West Philadelphia. Smith had three #1 Hot 100 hits, including "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" and "Wild Wild West". Boyz II Men, the soulful, gospel-tinged, R&B act from the 1990s are also from Philadelphia. They had four #1 Hot 100 hits, including "End of the Road", "I'll Make Love to You", and "On Bended Knee". Their song "Motownphilly" is a tribute to Philadelphia. Other 21st century artists from Philadelphia include Jill Scott, The Roots, Eve, Cassidy, Chiddy Bang, Da Youngsta's, Tuff Crew, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Jedi Mind Tricks, Lil Uzi Vert, Meek Mill (had a #1 album on Billboard 200 in 2018), Ms. Jade, Reef the Lost Cauze, Schoolly D, The High & Mighty, Young Gunz, and 2rare Rappers Mac Miller and Wiz Khalifa are from Pittsburgh. Mac Miller had a #1 album on the Billboard 200 with Blue Slide Park in 2011. Khalifa has two #1 Hot 100 hits, "Black and Yellow", which is about growing up in Pittsburgh, and "See You Again". Rapper Asher Roth is from Morrisville.
Blues Blues singer Gladys Bentley, active in the Harlem Renaissance, was born in Philadelphia. Samuel Charters, born in Pittsburgh, was an American music historian, writer, record producer, musician, and poet. He was a widely published author on the subjects of blues and jazz music, including The Country Blues.
Jazz