Terry Gross

Gladys Knight has a new solo recording out earlier this year, “At Last” (Uni/MCA). Knight began her singing career at age 4. Since that modest start, she went on to lead one of the most successful vocal soul groups in America, "Gladys Knight and The Pips." The group stayed together for 39 years before disbanding.Among, the group's most notable songs include: "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "Neither One of Us," and Midnight Train to Georgia." Knight then launched a solo career.

Gordy and Motown made stars out of musicians and singers including Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson. In 1994 Gordy has published his autobiography, "To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown: An Autobiography."

Otis Williams was the founder of The Temptations, whose smooth five-part harmonies and synchronized dance steps made them one of the hottest of Motown's super groups. Their hits included "My Girl," "Just My Imagination," and "Pappa Was a Rolling Stone."

Singer, songwriter, guitar player, Dan Penn. Penn has written soul music classics like Do Right Woman, Cry Like a Baby, Sweet Inspiration, and I'm Your Puppet. His compositions have been made famous by the likes of Aretha Franklin, James Carr, Percy Sledge, Solomon Burke and Otis Redding. Penn left his tiny hometown of Vernon, Alabama when he was sixteen as a white kid, singing like Ray Charles and in love with black music.

An interview with former Atlantic Records executive Jerry Wexler. Wexler was the producer behind some of the greatest soul music of the '60s, including classic sessions with Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding.

Guitarist, songwriter, and producer Steve Cropper. In the 60's, he was with Stax Records, the record company that defined the Memphis sound of the time. He's best known for his playing with Booker T & the MGs; he also played in the band from the film The Blues Brothers. He co-wrote such hits as In the Midnight Hour, Soul Man, and Otis Redding's (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay.

Composer and musician Isaac Hayes. He won an Oscar the the theme music he wrote for the the 1972 movie Shaft. HAYES is also an actor, who has held roles in the movies Robin Hood: Men in Tights, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, Posse, and It Could Happen to You. He's also a regular voice (as the Chef) on the cable animation show South Park.

Teddy Pendergrass was a popular soul singer in the group "Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes". He went solo in 1976. In 1982, he was paralyzed after a near fatal car accident in Philadelphia, his hometown. Since then he has returned to the studio and produced several albums. He's currently on tour.

Last year Al Green published a new biography called Down by the River detailing the trip from R&B stardom to Reverend. Presiding over his own Pentacoastal church in Memphis for the last 20 years, Green recently returned to the recording studio to record a set of gospel songs. A popular culture icon, he's had cameo roles in movies and TV shows. He lives in Memphis, Tenn.

Rhythm and blues singer Bobby Womack. His R&B and pop hits include It's All Over Now, Lookin' For A Love, and That's The Way I Feel About Cha. Womack began his career singing gospel with his brothers. They were discovered by Sam Cooke.