Pat DiCesare
Encyclopedia
Pat J. DiCesare Sr. is an American entrepreneur
and rock concert promoter, whose career began at the early stages of rock and roll
. His career in the music industry spanned the latter half of the 20th century, and his Pittsburgh based company, DiCesare-Engler Productions, was at one time one of the top grossing businesses amongst US concert promoters.
into a family of 9 siblings. His father emigrated from Italy and settled in Trafford to work for Westinghouse Electric. After graduating from Trafford High School, DiCesare took a job with Westinghouse in nearby East Pittsburgh. He left his job just months later to work as a record distributor for Tim Tormey, a concert promoter and talent agent in the Pittsburgh area1.
” and “You Say You Love Me,” which were originally released on Fee Bee Records
in 1957. They were recorded by the Del Vikings just after they had released their 2 Gold record singles “Come Go With Me
” and “Whispering Bells” on Dot Records
. In 1958, he started Bobby records, named after his first recording artist Bobby Vinton
7. He later managed The Marcels
7.
Tuesday, May 8, 1962 was the date of the first concert that DiCesare promoted himself. The show was the Four Freshmen at Stambaugh Auditorium
in Youngstown
, Ohio
. At the time he worked as a record distributor for his mentor, Tim Tormey, who was a concert promoter and talent agent in the Pittsburgh area10. DiCesare worked with him on his “Shower of Stars” concert series that featured several headline acts booked together to sell out large venues.
On September 14, 1964 Tormey and DiCesare brought the Beatles to the Pittsburgh Civic Arena11 during their first U.S. Tour. DiCesare put up the $5000 guarantee. He got the money from his father, who had to put a lien
on his house to borrow money from the Westinghouse Electric Credit Union11. The show sold out at a price of $5.90 per ticket. DiCesare had to miss the show because he had been drafted by the U.S. Army. Tormey worked the show while DiCesare was in Fort Sill, OK11.
In 1965, DiCesare co-founded the Dapper Dan Roundball Classic
with his friend Sonny Vaccaro
. The inaugural game of its 43 year run was played on March 26, 1965 at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. It was the first national high school All-Star game.
When Tormey left Pittsburgh for Hollywood to work with Dick Clark Productions
1, DiCesare continued to promote concerts on his own1 11. He called his company “University Attractions,” and then finally “Pat DiCesare Productions1.” DiCesare had exclusive leases with the Civic Arena, Syria Mosque
, and eventually Three Rivers Stadium
1, and therefore promoted almost all of the large rock concerts that played Pittsburgh in addition to promoting shows at many of the surrounding secondary markets such as Erie
and Johnstown
.
shows, Grand Funk Railroad
, The Who
, Black Sabbath
, and Jesus Christ Superstar
. In 1972, Pat DiCesare Productions also set and then reset the attendance record at that time for a rock concert in Pittsburgh with Three Dog Night
and then Alice Cooper
. Both played at the recently constructed Three Rivers Stadium.
In late 1973, DiCesare partnered with Rich Engler. Engler was a drummer in the band “Grains of Sand” and promoted shows in small towns in Western Pennsylvania
. They called the new company “DiCesare-Engler Productions,” and it became one of the top grossing businesses amongst concert promoters in the nation. Engler focused on booking the acts. DiCesare focused on other entrepreneurial opportunities, most notably acquiring real estate
.
In 1977, DiCesare-Engler took over operations at the Stanley Theatre
in Downtown Pittsburgh. DiCesare soon put together a deal to purchase the theatre. The venue quickly became the number one grossing auditorium in the country.
for a brief period. Pat DiCesare promoted shows and operated the 7000 seat Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts. He moved back to Pittsburgh in 1981 and partnered with Nick Censi and Rich Engler to make DECCO Records. They had signed a few local acts including Joe Gruscheky
and Jimmy Barkan.
Despite the success of the Stanley Theatre, DiCesare-Engler sold the venue. In November 1983, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
announced their $12 million purchace of the Stanley Theatre. It is now known as the Benedum Center
. Earlier that same year, Pat DiCesare and Rich Engler received the Variety Club entertainment award for “Bringing Broadway
back to Pittsburgh.”11.
In 1984, DiCesare-Engler signed a 10 year agreement with the Syria Mosque
in Oakland (Pittsburgh), where they assumed management and continued promoting rock and broadway shows as they did at the Stanley Theatre. Soon after the move, DiCesare began looking for a venue to do more shows in the summer since the Syria Mosque did not have air conditioning. They began booking the AJ Palumbo Center when it opened in 1988, and had built the Melody Amphitheatre
(also known as IC Light Amphitheatre or Chevrolet Amphitheatre) at Station Square
in 1989 where they booked shows for a seating capacity of 5000.
In 1986, DiCesare purchased almost 500 acres (2 km²) of land near Cranberry Township
just North of Pittsburgh with plans to build a major recreational center that would include an indoor mall, waterpark, children's theme park, and a $10 million outdoor amphitheatre with 7,500 covered seats and room for 12,500 lawn spectators. However, he lost $500,000 in a battle with the Adams Township
zoning commission. He then purchased 250 acres (1 km²) in Jackson Township, Pennsylvania
. While trying to rezone his Jackson Township property, Pace Concerts of Houston, Texas
broke ground in Burgettstown - located in Washington County, Pennsylvania
about 45 minutes West of Pittsburgh.
DiCesare-Engler continued their strong performance in the concert industry. They remained in the top 20 in gross sales amongst US concert promoters thanks to the success of their smaller venues such as the AJ Palumbo Center, Syria Mosque, IC Light Amphitheatre, and their 1992 venture with Factory Concerts to build the 4000 seat Bud Light Amphitheatre at Harvey's Lake
just 5 miles (8 km) outside of Wilkes-Barre, PA. DiCesare-Engler also continued their usual volume of sales at the Civic Arena and Three Rivers Stadium in addition to their new association with Pace Concerts in booking shows at Starlake Amphitheatre. In 1997, when the Pittsburgh Post Gazette first released their list of the "Top 50 Culture Brokers," Pat DiCesare and Rich Engler ranked 3rd.
In the 90s, DiCesare focused more on creating and booking festivals both locally and nationally, while Engler continued booking concerts. DiCesare created the "Fright Fest," the "Celebration of Lights," and various ethnic festivals. These festivals took place in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore
, and Irvine, California
. The Fright Fest was a Halloween event designed by Tom Savini
that took place during the month of October. The Celebration of Lights is a drive through holiday light show that was designed as a charity event. It has become a yearly holiday tradition at Hartwood Acres
in the Pittsburgh area and has attracted as many as 600,000 people in a season.
In March 1998, the Chief Executive of Allegheny County, Jim Roddey
, announced that DiCesare-Engler would be taking over the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta for the former Regatta Chairman, Eugene Connelly who was accused of misusing $227,000 in funds for personal use. At that time, the Regatta was $750,000 in debt. DiCesare was able to attract more sponsors and cut expenses by decreasing the event from six days to four days, and DiCesare-Engler was able to book bands at better prices.
Just days before the 1998 Regatta took place, it was announced that DiCesare-Engler Productions was sold to SFX Entertainment - a concert business trend that had preceded the DiCesare-Engler buyout in several other US markets. This announcement came only days after Pace Concerts had been sold to SFX. Engler would stay with the company and become the CEO of DiCesare-Engler/SFX. DiCesare, then 60 years old, elected to step away from the new business. This marked the end of an almost 25 year partnership between Pat DiCesare and Rich Engler.
Pat DiCesare did continue as the CEO of Regatta Management Group in 1998 and 1999. He has been inactive in the music and entertainment business since selling his share of the Regatta after its 1999 season. In the fall of 2009 he began writing a series of articles for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pollstar
about his experiences in the music industry. Topics so far have included The Beatles, The Del-Vikings, The Rolling Stones
, Led Zeppelin
, Bruce Springsteen
, Janis Joplin
, and the Pittsburgh Civic Arena.
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
and rock concert promoter, whose career began at the early stages of rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
. His career in the music industry spanned the latter half of the 20th century, and his Pittsburgh based company, DiCesare-Engler Productions, was at one time one of the top grossing businesses amongst US concert promoters.
Early life
DiCesare was born in Trafford, PennsylvaniaTrafford, Pennsylvania
Trafford is a borough in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Located near Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania, the borough lies primarily in Westmoreland County; only a small portion extends into Allegheny County...
into a family of 9 siblings. His father emigrated from Italy and settled in Trafford to work for Westinghouse Electric. After graduating from Trafford High School, DiCesare took a job with Westinghouse in nearby East Pittsburgh. He left his job just months later to work as a record distributor for Tim Tormey, a concert promoter and talent agent in the Pittsburgh area1.
1950s
As a teenager, DiCesare wrote songs and performed in a Doo Wop band with a group of friends called "The Penn Boys." He wrote, produced, and released his first single in 1957, “Gonna Have a Party,” which was performed by The Penn Boys. He also wrote “I'm SpinningI'm Spinning
"I'm Spinning" is a Doo Wop song recorded by the Del-Vikings on the Fee Bee Records label in 1957 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as an A side for the single "I'm Spinning"/"You Say You Love Me," written by Pat DiCesare. It was soon released on Dot Records for national distribution, and later released...
” and “You Say You Love Me,” which were originally released on Fee Bee Records
Fee Bee Records
-Fee Bee Records:Fee Bee Records was a record label started by Joe Averbach in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The label is notable for recording the Del Vikings hit "Come Go With Me" in 1956...
in 1957. They were recorded by the Del Vikings just after they had released their 2 Gold record singles “Come Go With Me
Come Go with Me
"Come Go with Me" is a song written by C. E. Quick , an original member of the American doo-wop vocal group The Del-Vikings. The song was originally recorded by The Del-Vikings in 1956 and was released on Fee Bee Records...
” and “Whispering Bells” on Dot Records
Dot Records
Dot Records was an American record label and company that was active between 1950 and 1977. It was founded by Randy Wood. In Gallatin, Tennessee, Wood had earlier started a mail order record shop, known for its radio ads on WLAC in Nashville and its R&B air personality Bill "Hoss" Allen...
. In 1958, he started Bobby records, named after his first recording artist Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton is an American pop music singer of Polish origin. In pop music circles, he became known as "The Polish Prince".-Early life:...
7. He later managed The Marcels
The Marcels
The Marcels were a doo-wop group known for turning American classical pop songs into rock and roll. The group formed in 1959 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and signed to Colpix Records, with lead Cornelius Harp, bass Fred Johnson, Gene Bricker, Ron Mundy, and Richard Knauss...
7.
1960s
“If you expected to play Pittsburgh in the late '60s, pal, you either talked to Pat DiCesare or you stayed home.”
Ed Masley, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Tuesday, May 8, 1962 was the date of the first concert that DiCesare promoted himself. The show was the Four Freshmen at Stambaugh Auditorium
Stambaugh Auditorium
Stambaugh Auditorium is a public auditorium located in Youngstown, Ohio in the United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984....
in Youngstown
Youngstown
Youngstown may refer to:A place*Canada**Britannia Youngstown, Edmonton, Alberta**Youngstown, Alberta*United States**Youngstown, Florida**Youngstown, Indiana**Youngstown, New York**Youngstown, Ohio***Youngstown State University...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. At the time he worked as a record distributor for his mentor, Tim Tormey, who was a concert promoter and talent agent in the Pittsburgh area10. DiCesare worked with him on his “Shower of Stars” concert series that featured several headline acts booked together to sell out large venues.
On September 14, 1964 Tormey and DiCesare brought the Beatles to the Pittsburgh Civic Arena11 during their first U.S. Tour. DiCesare put up the $5000 guarantee. He got the money from his father, who had to put a lien
Lien
In law, a lien is a form of security interest granted over an item of property to secure the payment of a debt or performance of some other obligation...
on his house to borrow money from the Westinghouse Electric Credit Union11. The show sold out at a price of $5.90 per ticket. DiCesare had to miss the show because he had been drafted by the U.S. Army. Tormey worked the show while DiCesare was in Fort Sill, OK11.
In 1965, DiCesare co-founded the Dapper Dan Roundball Classic
Roundball Classic
The Roundball Classic, originally known as The Dapper Dan Roundball Classic is well known in the sports world as the first national high school All Star basketball game...
with his friend Sonny Vaccaro
Sonny Vaccaro
John Paul Vaccaro is an American former sports marketing executive.Vaccaro is probably best known for his tenure with Nike, Inc., and signed Michael Jordan to his first sneaker deal. Vaccaro left Nike for Adidas, then Reebok...
. The inaugural game of its 43 year run was played on March 26, 1965 at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. It was the first national high school All-Star game.
When Tormey left Pittsburgh for Hollywood to work with Dick Clark Productions
Dick Clark Productions
Dick Clark Productions is an entertainment production company founded by entertainer Dick Clark...
1, DiCesare continued to promote concerts on his own1 11. He called his company “University Attractions,” and then finally “Pat DiCesare Productions1.” DiCesare had exclusive leases with the Civic Arena, Syria Mosque
Syria Mosque
The Syria Mosque was a performance venue, located in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Constructed in 1911 and dedicated in January 1912, it was designed by Huehl, Schmidt & Holmes architectural firm of Chicago....
, and eventually Three Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to...
1, and therefore promoted almost all of the large rock concerts that played Pittsburgh in addition to promoting shows at many of the surrounding secondary markets such as Erie
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
and Johnstown
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States, west-southwest of Altoona, Pennsylvania and east of Pittsburgh. The population was 20,978 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Cambria County...
.
1970s
In the early 70s the Civic Arena continued to eclipse yearly attendance records due largely to the “new” phenomenon of the rock concert. Some Pat DiCesare Production sellouts at the Civic Arena in 1971 included 3 Chicago (band)Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
shows, Grand Funk Railroad
Grand Funk Railroad
Grand Funk Railroad is an American rock band that was highly popular during the 1970s. Grand Funk Railroad toured constantly to packed arenas worldwide. A popular take on the band during its heyday was that, although the critics hated them, audiences loved them...
, The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
, Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, and Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
. In 1972, Pat DiCesare Productions also set and then reset the attendance record at that time for a rock concert in Pittsburgh with Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night is an American rock band best known for their music from 1968 to 1975. During that time the band charted 21 Billboard top 40 hits in America, three of which reached Number One...
and then Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
. Both played at the recently constructed Three Rivers Stadium.
In late 1973, DiCesare partnered with Rich Engler. Engler was a drummer in the band “Grains of Sand” and promoted shows in small towns in Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania consists of the western third of the state of Pennsylvania in the United States. Pittsburgh is the largest city in the region, with a metropolitan area population of about 2.4 million people, and serves as its economic and cultural center. Erie, Altoona, and Johnstown are its...
. They called the new company “DiCesare-Engler Productions,” and it became one of the top grossing businesses amongst concert promoters in the nation. Engler focused on booking the acts. DiCesare focused on other entrepreneurial opportunities, most notably acquiring real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
.
In 1977, DiCesare-Engler took over operations at the Stanley Theatre
Benedum Center
The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts is a theater and concert hall located at 719 Liberty Avenue in the Cultural District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
in Downtown Pittsburgh. DiCesare soon put together a deal to purchase the theatre. The venue quickly became the number one grossing auditorium in the country.
1980s
In 1980 DiCesare-Engler expanded operations to Las VegasLas Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
for a brief period. Pat DiCesare promoted shows and operated the 7000 seat Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts. He moved back to Pittsburgh in 1981 and partnered with Nick Censi and Rich Engler to make DECCO Records. They had signed a few local acts including Joe Gruscheky
Iron City Houserockers
The Iron City Houserockers were an American rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, led by singer/guitarist Joe Grushecky, that existed from 1976 until 1984...
and Jimmy Barkan.
Despite the success of the Stanley Theatre, DiCesare-Engler sold the venue. In November 1983, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, a nonprofit arts organization, is a driving catalyst behind the ongoing development of the Downtown Pittsburgh Cultural District, Pittsburgh...
announced their $12 million purchace of the Stanley Theatre. It is now known as the Benedum Center
Benedum Center
The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts is a theater and concert hall located at 719 Liberty Avenue in the Cultural District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
. Earlier that same year, Pat DiCesare and Rich Engler received the Variety Club entertainment award for “Bringing Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
back to Pittsburgh.”11.
In 1984, DiCesare-Engler signed a 10 year agreement with the Syria Mosque
Syria Mosque
The Syria Mosque was a performance venue, located in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Constructed in 1911 and dedicated in January 1912, it was designed by Huehl, Schmidt & Holmes architectural firm of Chicago....
in Oakland (Pittsburgh), where they assumed management and continued promoting rock and broadway shows as they did at the Stanley Theatre. Soon after the move, DiCesare began looking for a venue to do more shows in the summer since the Syria Mosque did not have air conditioning. They began booking the AJ Palumbo Center when it opened in 1988, and had built the Melody Amphitheatre
Chevrolet Amphitheatre
The Trib Total Media Amphitheatre at Station Square is an outdoor music pavilion at Station Square in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The venue has a seating capacity of 5,000 people. In January 2007 it was announced that the amphitheatre would be changing its name to The Amphitheatre at Sandcastle and...
(also known as IC Light Amphitheatre or Chevrolet Amphitheatre) at Station Square
Station Square
Station Square is a indoor and outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment complex located in the South Shore neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
in 1989 where they booked shows for a seating capacity of 5000.
In 1986, DiCesare purchased almost 500 acres (2 km²) of land near Cranberry Township
Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania
Cranberry Township is a township in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is classified as a Second Class Township and follows the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Second Class Township Code. The population was 28,098 as of the 2010 census....
just North of Pittsburgh with plans to build a major recreational center that would include an indoor mall, waterpark, children's theme park, and a $10 million outdoor amphitheatre with 7,500 covered seats and room for 12,500 lawn spectators. However, he lost $500,000 in a battle with the Adams Township
Adams Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania
Adams Township is a township in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 11,652 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...
zoning commission. He then purchased 250 acres (1 km²) in Jackson Township, Pennsylvania
Jackson Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania
Jackson Township is a township in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,645 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...
. While trying to rezone his Jackson Township property, Pace Concerts of Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
broke ground in Burgettstown - located in Washington County, Pennsylvania
Washington County, Pennsylvania
-Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .* Democratic: 89,027 * Republican: 49,025 * Other Parties: 14,482...
about 45 minutes West of Pittsburgh.
1990s
In March 1990, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported that DiCesare was abandoning plans to build an amphitheater and that “he (DiCesare-Engler) and PACE Entertainment Group of Houston would co-promote the Star Lake Amphitheater,” which later opened in Burgettstown, PA in June 1990. DiCesare was quoted as saying, “I’m convinced that the Pittsburgh area is not big enough to support two amphitheaters. . . We will be shifting our shows from the less desirable venues to the amphitheater.” He had subsequently announced plans to build a $250 million dollar, 2100 unit development on his Adams Township property, which some referred to as "DiCesare City." It is now known as "Adams Ridge."DiCesare-Engler continued their strong performance in the concert industry. They remained in the top 20 in gross sales amongst US concert promoters thanks to the success of their smaller venues such as the AJ Palumbo Center, Syria Mosque, IC Light Amphitheatre, and their 1992 venture with Factory Concerts to build the 4000 seat Bud Light Amphitheatre at Harvey's Lake
Harveys Lake, Pennsylvania
Harveys Lake is a borough in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The lake within the town is the largest natural lake by volume contained entirely in Pennsylvania. The lake was named after Benjamin Harvey, who founded the borough in 1781 and was a member of the Sons of Liberty, an...
just 5 miles (8 km) outside of Wilkes-Barre, PA. DiCesare-Engler also continued their usual volume of sales at the Civic Arena and Three Rivers Stadium in addition to their new association with Pace Concerts in booking shows at Starlake Amphitheatre. In 1997, when the Pittsburgh Post Gazette first released their list of the "Top 50 Culture Brokers," Pat DiCesare and Rich Engler ranked 3rd.
In the 90s, DiCesare focused more on creating and booking festivals both locally and nationally, while Engler continued booking concerts. DiCesare created the "Fright Fest," the "Celebration of Lights," and various ethnic festivals. These festivals took place in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, and Irvine, California
Irvine, California
Irvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California...
. The Fright Fest was a Halloween event designed by Tom Savini
Tom Savini
Thomas Vincent "Tom" Savini is an American actor, stuntman, director, award-winning special effects and makeup artist. He is known for his work on the Living Dead films directed by George A. Romero, as well as Creepshow, The Burning, Friday the 13th, The Prowler, and Maniac. He directed the 1990...
that took place during the month of October. The Celebration of Lights is a drive through holiday light show that was designed as a charity event. It has become a yearly holiday tradition at Hartwood Acres
Hartwood Acres Park
Hartwood Acres Park is a county park in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in the United States. Hartwood is considered the crown jewel of the county's network of nine distinct parks....
in the Pittsburgh area and has attracted as many as 600,000 people in a season.
In March 1998, the Chief Executive of Allegheny County, Jim Roddey
Jim Roddey
James C. "Jim" Roddey is a Pennsylvania businessman and politician best known as the former Chief Executive of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, from 2000 to 2004.He is also a former United States Marine...
, announced that DiCesare-Engler would be taking over the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta for the former Regatta Chairman, Eugene Connelly who was accused of misusing $227,000 in funds for personal use. At that time, the Regatta was $750,000 in debt. DiCesare was able to attract more sponsors and cut expenses by decreasing the event from six days to four days, and DiCesare-Engler was able to book bands at better prices.
Just days before the 1998 Regatta took place, it was announced that DiCesare-Engler Productions was sold to SFX Entertainment - a concert business trend that had preceded the DiCesare-Engler buyout in several other US markets. This announcement came only days after Pace Concerts had been sold to SFX. Engler would stay with the company and become the CEO of DiCesare-Engler/SFX. DiCesare, then 60 years old, elected to step away from the new business. This marked the end of an almost 25 year partnership between Pat DiCesare and Rich Engler.
Pat DiCesare did continue as the CEO of Regatta Management Group in 1998 and 1999. He has been inactive in the music and entertainment business since selling his share of the Regatta after its 1999 season. In the fall of 2009 he began writing a series of articles for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pollstar
Pollstar
Pollstar is a concert tour industry's leading trade publication that gets its information primarily from the agents, managers and promoters who are producing concerts. Founded in 1981, it is based in Fresno, California and has an office in London with correspondents in six countries. Pollstar is...
about his experiences in the music industry. Topics so far have included The Beatles, The Del-Vikings, The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
, Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin
Janis Lyn Joplin was an American singer, songwriter, painter, dancer and music arranger. She rose to prominence in the late 1960s as the lead singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company and later as a solo artist with her backing groups, The Kozmic Blues Band and The Full Tilt Boogie Band...
, and the Pittsburgh Civic Arena.