Rich Engler's Guitar Collection on Display at Carnegie Science Center

A local concert promoter and music producer for more than 40 years will make an appearance this weekend at a guitar exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center.

Rich Engler of Sewickley Heights will display part of his vast personal guitar collection that includes autographed guitars from some of rock's biggest stars.

"I'm taking 12 guitars from my private collection," Engler said. "They're gpoing to be on display with some other guitars the Science Center has secured."

The show is called “Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World” and the exhibits runs from Saturday, June 16 through Sunday, Sept. 30. Engler will make special appearances Saturday and Sunday.

In addition to answering questions, Engler will be having discussions with patrons about many of the shows he has promoted through the years.

Engler said it was never his intention to go into the music business. He studied at Youngstown State University before transferring to Carnegie Mellon University, where he went for one semester. Engler said he was forced to make a choice between school and music. 

"I had to make that decision if I wanted to pursue music. The union was pressuring me to either get in or out. I got a license and opened a business," he said. 

Working from the ground up, he quickly learned the ropes of the promotion business, figuring out what worked and what didn't. He was successfully booking bands, groups he referred to as friends, before deciding to open his first office in 1969, a company based in Shadyside.

More colleges began calling and the bands became bigger names. They wanted Yes, Blue Oyster Cult, Teddy Prendergraft, Stevie Wonder. His company, GO Attractions, eventually merged with Pat DiCesare Productions to form DiCesare-Engler Productions.

Engler worked to bring such as Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and Bon Jovi to Pittsburgh. By the mid 1980s, Engler said he was collecting guitars. 

He eventually sold the company in 2004. He does consulting and independent projects from time to time, but his main focus now is the energy business, he said. 

"I do get the urge and the itch to get back," he said, adding that he knows it wouldn't be the same. "A lot has changed since I sold. The industry is way different now."

Engler, who has been writing, currently has a book in the works that will focus on his career in the music business and different occurrences with various performers over the years. He recently signed with a major literary agent.

He has also launched his own website at www.richengler.com. The website features back stage photographs of performers Engler has promoted and become friends with over the years as well as backstage passes, news and video clips.

Visitors can sample music tracks from his first band, "The Grains of Sand," in which Engler was the drummer. Additional information regarding his book will be posted on his website.

If You Go:

“Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World” runs Saturday, June 16 through Sunday, Sept. 30. Rich Engler will make an appearances Saturday and Sunday at the Carnegie Science Center.

Saturday

A special opening party from 8 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday features an all star acoustic jam performance by Joe Grushecky, Billy Price and Rob James of The Clarks and Rick Witkowski of BE Taylor Group.

Sunday

On Sunday, Engler will appear from 2 to 3 p.m. Admission is free to see the exhibit to those who pay admission to get into the Science Center. 

For more information on the Guitar Exhibit visit  www.carnegiesciencecenter.org

Visit Rich Engler's new website at www.richengler.com

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