Earth Wind & Fire in Concert at UPMC Events Ctr.; Tracy Morgan Plays Rivers; Virginia Tech vs. Pitt (Sat., 10/8/22

1) Earth, Wind & Fire is one of the most successful soul/funk bands of the late ’70s and early to mid ’80s. There are many reasons for the band’s success, mainly the musical genius of EWF’s leader, the late Maurice White. White fused musical genres together, including soul, funk, African rhythms, gospel, rock, and jazz. He combined that with a tight band of top-notch musicians, including a horn section, mystical lyrics and staging, and the soaring voice of Philip Bailey. White and Bailey were the two lead singers with Bailey possessing a beautiful falsetto voice with a four-octave range. 1975’s That’s the Way of the World was the band’s first big album and produced the hits “That’s the Way of the World,” “Shining Star,” and “Reasons.” EWF has received 20 Grammy nominations, winning six as a group and White and Bailey garnering two individual awards. White’s brother Verdine is the longtime bassist for the band and Bailey’s son, Phillip Bailey Jr. is also in EW&F. 8:30 p.m. UPMC Events Center,  6001 University Blvd., RMU, Moon Township. (R.H.)

Earth Wind & Fire in a 2009 concert. photo: Craig ONeal and Wikipedia.

2) Actor/comedian Tracy Morgan has had a very successful career of making people laugh over a span of  over 30 years. His first comedy stage was the rough streets of the Bronx in New York City. As he continued to hone his craft he garnered a recurring guest role on the Fox TV series, “Martin” as the “hood’s” best entrepreneur, Hustle Man. SNL creator Lorne Michaels met Morgan when Morgan was selling souvenirs outside of Yankee Stadium. Morgan’s humor and charisma landed him an audition and then a cast position on Saturday Night Live. He was later cast in the role of Tracy Jordan, a TV star with an over sized ego, on the Tina Fey produced, “30 Rock.”  Morgan won an Emmy Award for that role in 2009. ‘The Last O.G.” on TBS is Morgan’s latest TV show. He has made a heroic comeback from a terrible car crash in 2014, when the minibus that he and his good friend James McNair and several others were riding in was hit by a Walmart truck. McNair was killed and Morgan was severely injured. Morgan brings his standup act to the Rivers Casino Event Center. 7 p.m. 777 Casino Dr., North Shore.

Tracy Morgan. (photo: sidereel.com and Wikipedia)

Pitt tight end Gavin Bartholomew has been making a name for himself especially with some amazing plays. (Photo: Ernest Borghetti and the University of Pittsburgh)

3) The Pittsburgh Panthers football team are coming off a tough loss against a rejuvenated Georgia Tech team and are 3-2. Today they play the Virginia Tech Hokies at Acrisure Stadium. It’s Pitt’s homecoming game and weekend. 3:30 p.m. 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Shore.

Share on Social Media