Revered Former Owner Of Legendary Pittsburgh Bar Dies

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Police, U2. Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi. Aerosmith. The Red Hot Chili Peppers. The Pretenders. Pat Benatar. Stevie Ray Vaughn, Buddy Guy and the Ramones.

The list of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers who played on The Decade's legendary small stage is lengthy.

Dom DiSilvio, who owned the legendary Oakland bar at the corner of Atwood and Sennott streets, was responsible for bringing those acts to town. He operated the eclectic bar, which had parachutes covering its ceiling, from the late 1970s until selling it in 1995.

DiSilvio, of Squirrel Hill, died on Saturday at the age of 86.

"Dom passed peacefully surrounded by his many children and grandchildren," a post on the bar's Facebook page stated. "We appreciate you all for being a part of the Decade family that Dom loved."

In addition to the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers who played at the bar included the Violent Femmes, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Los Lobos, The Pixies, Joe Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, 10,000 Maniacs, the Ramones, Suzanne Vega and Black Flag.

Located on the University of Pittsburgh campus, the Decade became the quintessential place to go in the city to see live music. It inspired by a book written by Gabby Means, DiSilvio's granddaughter, that remains available on Amazon today.

The magic that made The Decade so memorable vanished after DiSilvio sold it. The bar's incarnations after that included a deli, lesbian bar, produce store, Cumpie's bar and the Garage Door Saloon.

The building has been vacant since 2021, when it was condemned.