Terry Gross

Singer/songwriter Bonnie Raitt talks about the musicians and performers that inspired her: B.B. King, Mississippi Fred McDowell, and Sippie Wallace. Raitt's newest album is "Fundamental" (Emd/Capitol). She's currently on tour. (REBROADCAST from 3/3/89)

Rock guitarist Eric Clapton. His friends call him "Slowhand," his fans call him "God." Whatever name he goes by, Eric Clapton is at or near the top of any list of the greatest guitar players in rock history. Clapton started out playing blues with the Yardbirds (For Your Love) in the early 60s, then played with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers before forming Cream, one of the 60s most influential bands (Crossroads, White Room). His latest album is "Blues" (Polydor).

He's known as the King of the Blues. B.B. King was born on a cotton plantation in Mississippi before moving to Memphis where he began his career. Since then, among numerous other awards, he's received seven Grammies, an MTV award, and a Presidential Medal of the Arts. He is also a member of the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame. In his biography, entitled "Blues All Around Me"(Avon Books) he recounts his life from his early days in Mississippi, to breaking into the music business in Memphis, to his career today. Terry Gross talked to him just after his book was published.

Music writer Peter Guralnick. is author of "Searching For Robert Johnson" which examines the brief life of perhaps the greatest blues musician of all time. In the 20s and 30s, Johnson was "King of the Delta Blues Singers," and a sensation throughout the South. Johnson died at age 27, shot to death by a jealous husband, but his music continued to be studied and copied by artists such as Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones. (REBROADCAST from 10/20/89.)

Crime novelist George P Pelecanps is the author of "Sweet Forever" (Little, Brown) He has been called "one of 1990's rising stars in crime fiction." His other works include "King Suckerman," "The Big Blowdown," "Down By the River Where Dead Men Go," "Shoedog," "Nick's Trip," and "A Firing Offense." (Originally aired 8/25/98).

Actor, comic, writer, director Albert Brooks. He stars in the new movie "The Muse". He's appeared in such films as "Taxi Driver," "Broadcast News," and "I'll Do Anything." and "Mother." and he wrote, directed and acted in are "Real Life," "Modern Romance," "Lost in America," and "Defending Your Life." (Originally aired 12/19/96).

Bill Siemering works for "The Open Society Institute," a group that promotes open and free societies. It is funded by the Soros Foundation. He talks about building up radio in third world countries to serve as a tool for democracy. Siemering wrote the mission and goals statement for National Public Radio and served there as its first program director. He also served as V.P. at WHYY-FM in Philadelphia.

Roy A. Loney was lead singer (1965-1971) of the San Francisco band "Flamin' Groovies." Buddha Records has re-issued their albums "Flamingo" and "Teenage Head" Both out-of-print cult classics. After Loney left the band, he recorded with "Phantom Movers" and currently performs with his new band "Fondellas."

Writer and director M. Night Shyamalan. He's the man behind the new #1 hit film, "The Sixth Sense" about a boy who sees the dead. The film stars Bruce Willis. Shyamalan made his film debut with "Praying with Anger" which was named Debut of the Year by the American Film Institute in Los Angeles.

Botanist Margaret Lowman. She's a pioneer in research on forest canopies, i.e, the treetops - their inhabitants, flowers, fruits and morality. Her new book is "Life in the Treetops: Adventures of a Woman in Field Biology" (Yale Book News). LOWMAN is director of research and conservation at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida.