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The Coasters Spoke for a Generation of Teenagers.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles The Coasters. With the help of songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, this group pioneered songs for teenagers in the fifties, with songs like "Yakety Yak," "Charlie Brown," and "Three Cool Cats." (Rebroadcast. Originally broadcast on Tuesday, December 13, 1988.)

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Other segments from the episode on July 4, 1989

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, July 4, 1989: Interview with Allen Toussaint; Commentary on the Coasters; Interview with Lyle Lovett; Review of the film "Basic Plumbing."
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23:16

Concert with Allen Toussaint.

A live concert with New Orleans songwriter, pianist and singer Allen Toussaint. Toussaint has performed extensively as a session pianist and producer and has written dozens of hits for New Orleans groups like The Nevilles, Irma Thomas, for Paul McCartney, The Wild Tchoupitoulas and The Meters. (Rebroadcast. Originally broadcast on Friday, May 27, 1988.)

Interview

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06:39

A West Coast Group Wrote Songs for the Kids

Songwriters Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller formed the 1950s band The Coasters as a vehicle for some of their goofier work. Rock historian Ed Ward says they were some of the first to recognize the importance of rock music to teenagers.

Commentary
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17:51

The Evolution of the Teenager.

Michael Barson is the author of the new book "Teenage Confidential: An Illustrated History of the American Teen (Chronicle Books, illustrated by Steven Heller). The book traces the evolution of the "teen" and the concept of the "teenager" which didn't exist before World War 2. The book also collects teenage artifacts, like movie posters, magazine covers, and advertisements.

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