Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Imagine producing and promoting over 6,000 concerts of such artists as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Marley Guns & Roses, Eric Clapton, Elton John… Rich Engler from Pittsburgh, PA discusses his fascinating music career which is still in progress – he’s done 35 shows in the Bradenton/Anna Maria Island area – Kansas, Jefferson Starship, Blue Oyster Cult, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Outlaws. In early 2026 The Wailers are coming to Anna Maria Island “direct from the UK” on January 24… Atlanta Rhythm Section performs on Feb 14 and John Oates will play on March 1…
Birthplace: New Kensington, PA
First Music Memory: First impression was surfing music, doo-wop, Motownee. Before I was of age, I’d sneak into clubs and watch them perform. I played trumpet in high school but that was considered corny so I switched to drums. I stole drumsticks from the music room in my high school. We had a band that played polkas, surfing music, stardust. I ended up booking the band. We were making money. My life changed in February 1964 watching the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Greatest Career Moment: Producing Bob Marley’s final concert in Pittsburgh, PA, September 24, 1980 at the Stanley Theater. Bruce Springsteen Born In The USA Tour, held the record in Pittsburgh for many years. I had 65,000 tickets on my desk, I owned the ticket company. It sold out in minutes. Next to that, Paul McCartney 1980. A sweetheart. He invited my wife (Cindy) and I to his last show at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Most Painful Moment: Not knowing if the Bob Marley show would go on. No one knew that he had a brain tumor and it was terminal. He had collapsed running in Central Park, New York City and his wife Rita didn’t want him to go to Pittsburgh. Probably one of the saddest, he told me he had to play because the band needed the money. The tour ended in Pittsburgh, the last time he held a guitar on stage in his life was in Pittsburgh. He later flew to Germany for treatment and I believe he died on the plane back.
Favorite Performers: In no particular order… David Gilmour, guitar and vocalist for Pink Floyd. Donald Fagen/Steely Dan. Harry Nilsson.
Favorite Concert Arena: Madison Square Garden.
Strangest Request By Band: Greek orgy by Axl Rose of Guns & Roses – you can see it in my documentary Behind The Stage Door. It’s also described in my book (same title). He gave me $10,000 to set it up. Ended up costing $23,000. Very elaborate. Statues, food, fog machine, togas. We put up netting with grapes in the Steelers weight room in Three Rivers Stadium. The girls were selected from the audience.
Funniest Performers: Sha Na Na played Woodstock as a spoof to blow people’s minds after Jimi Hendrix. The people LOVED it. They ended up getting a TV show on NBC – Saturday night’s at 7. They were always joking. I had to give up my car – 1952 MG TD – to get the whole Sha Na Na east coast tour.
Favorite Artists: Peter Max and LeRoy Neiman – we have several of their paintings. My wife – she paints large scale fashionable women.
Last Book Read: The Outlaws Band book – Henry Paul sent it to me.
Favorite Movies: White Lotus in Sicily, TV series. The Elton John movie, Rocket Man.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Vanilla heavy duty.
People Qualities Most Admired: Polite. A little bit of humor, with dignity.
