Singing
Julie Andrews says she's not the squeaky clean lady you might expect
The Sound of Music star will soon be honored with the AFI's Life Achievement Award. In 2008 and 2019, she spoke to Fresh Air about growing up during WWII and performing in her parents' vaudeville.
Anthony Roth Costanzo nearly lost his voice to cancer. Now he's back as 'Akhnaten'
A decade ago, Costanzo had surgery that threatened to destroy his singing voice. Now he stars as a gender-fluid Egyptian pharaoh in the Met Opera's production. Originally broadcast Oct. 7, 2019.
'Schmigadoon!' star Cecily Strong and co-creator Cinco Paul embrace musical satire
SNL's Cecily Strong co-stars in the Apple TV+ satire series Schmigadoon!. It centers on a couple who gets trapped in a town where people burst into song. We talk with Strong as well as Cinco Paul, the show's co-creator.
'Fresh Air' Pays Respect To Aretha Franklin, The Queen Of Soul
To mark the debut of the biopic RESPECT, we listen back to archival interviews with Aretha, as well as with Jerry Wexler, producer of the hit "Respect," and Dan Penn, who co-wrote "Do Right Woman."
Tony Bennett Retires From Performing: Listen Back To His 'Fresh Air' Interviews
Bennett continued performing even after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016. Now, at 95, he will retire, following doctor's orders. Bennett spoke with Terry Gross in 1982, 1991 and 1998.
Leslie Odom Jr. Finds Sam Cooke's Voice In 'One Night In Miami'
Odom Jr. landed his first Broadway role at 16, and later starred as Aaron Burr in Hamilton. Now he's up for two Oscars, one for his role as Cooke in One Night in Miami.
Dusty Springfield's Manager/Biographer Describes Singer's Dance With 'Demons'
The late British singer had a number of hits in the '60s, many of which are included in a new Atlantic Records anthology. We listen back to a 2002 interview with Springfield's friend Vicki Wickham.
'White Christmas': A Holiday Concert With Rosemary Clooney
To celebrate Christmas, Fresh Air listens back to a concert given by the late singer and actress on Feb. 11, 1997. Clooney spoke about her childhood and working with Bing Crosby and Billy Strayhorn.
Jazz Singer Cécile McLorin Salvant Doesn't Want To Sound 'Clean And Pretty'
MacArthur fellow McLorin Salvant sings jazz standards as well as forgotten early songs. "In jazz, I felt I could sing these deep, husky lows," she told Terry Gross in this 2015 interview.
2 Broadway Stars Grapple With COVID And ALS: 'We're Adapting To A New Reality'
Married Broadway stars Danny Burstein and Rebecca Luker both contracted COVID in the spring. Burstein was hospitalized. Luker's case was less severe, but it came soon after she was diagnosed with ALS.