GREAT MIDWEST SELECTS "HARD DAYS HARD NIGHTS" AS GRAND PRIZE WINNER CHICAGO_ An illuminating backstage pass to some of the greatest concerts ever held is the grand prize winner of the 2014 Great Midwest Book Festival. Southern California Book Festival Runner-Up Best Non-Fiction Readers' Favorite International Book Award, Best Non-Fiction Memoir Hard Days Hard Nights is the fascinating, behind-the-scenes story of the birth and development of modern rock concerts, as told by one of its most illustrious proponents, Pat DiCesare. For 36 years, starting with his first show in Youngstown, Ohio with the Four Freshman to his big breakthrough promoting the Beatles concert in Pittsburgh, PA in 1964, through his last major show in 1999, Pat DiCesare ruled the Pittsburgh concert scene. Virtually every major rock and pop act of the area from the Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin to Bruce Springsteen passed through Pittsburgh during these years to perform in concerts produced and promoted by Pat DiCesare. These are the backstage tales of those shows and how they came to be--the untold story of one of America's most beloved industries. The first baseball stadium we ever played was a show promoted by Pat DiCesare. He was one of the only promoters we trusted to do big shows and we were right…through all the craziness…floods…insanity…he gave us and the fans a great night. Thanks, Pat! --Alice Cooper and Shep Gordon, talent manager Pat DiCesare was always there in the beginning. He had a creative force that helped so many artists. Thanks for the support and guidance. It was appreciated. Congratulations and Best Wishes for your continued success. --Lou Christie, singer-songwriter, performer Pat has 'seen it all' - I remember him so well from the beginning of my career to his amazing success as one of the legends of promotion and, a great friend! --Tommy James, Tommy James and the Shondells Pat DiCesare is widely considered to be one the fathers of the rock and roll concert business, not only in Pittsburgh, but nationwide. After an illustrious career spanning five decades he retired in 1999 to his home in Greensburg, Pennsylvania with his wife, Kathy, and they have three sons. Pat now makes numerous public speaking engagements and writes for various music and business publications. Hard Days Hard Nights is his first book.