Billy Price Album Release Concert at Pittsburgh Shrine Center (Sun., 5/3/26)

May 1, 2026/Rick Handler

Pittsburgh soul and blues legend Billy Price knew from an early age that he wanted to be a singer. Growing up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, Price (then known by his formal name, William Pollak) sang in grade school and had the most popular bands in junior and senior high. And of course the band was doing all soul songs. He also had a band while attending Penn State University. After graduating he was in the Rhythm Kings, even playing the famous Fox Cafe in Shadyside. He was noticed by the late, renowned blues rock guitarist, Roy Buchanan, who drafted him to be the lead singer of his band. Post-Buchanan, Price formed the highly talented Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band. And after closing the chapter on the Keystone Rhythm Band after many years, he went on to have a richly rewarding solo career which included being nominated for and winning numerous national blues awards including the prestigious Blues Music Award. He even recorded an album with the late great soul singer Otis Clay.

In 2024 Price reached a new zenith in his career with his first-ever album of all original songs, Person of Interest. See our story on the making of the album. He and his band are having a record release concert at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center for their new album, Random Madness, named after one of the 11 new songs recorded at The Vault with producer Tony Braunagel and engineer Jimmy Hoyson. 5 p.m. 1877 Shriners Way, Cheswick. (R.H.)