Blast from the Past: When the Bangles Came to the 'Burgh

The band delighted their fans inside the Syria Mosque and a nationwide audience watching on MTV. We also love the ‘80s hairstyles – no Aqua Net required
Richard Cook,

One of the reasons that John Schalcosky earned a spot in the 2018 Best of the 'Burgh list is his knack for uncovering gems like this. The Bangles came to Pittsburgh in December of 1986 to play at the Syria Mosque in Oakland. The concert was recorded live for MTV. The intimate theater was a popular music venue back then, hosting concerts by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and dozens of internationally recognized music performers ranging from Benny Goodman to Pink Floyd. 

Despite community efforts to save it, the Syria Mosque was torn down in August of 1991. The Bangles, on the other hand, are still around thanks to hits like this.
 

 

This article appears in the August 2018 issue of The 412.
Categories: The 412