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The Legacy of Sam Phillips and Sun Records

The record producer is best known for propelling Elvis Presley to stardom; but Phillips founded his label in part to give African American musicians in the South a place to record their songs. Rock historian Ed Ward tells his story.

06:45
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Other segments from the episode on March 14, 1989

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, March 14, 1989: Interview with E.L. Doctorow; Commentary on Sam Phillips; Interview with Robert MacNeil; Review of Anthony Lake's book "Somoza Falling."
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27:40

Novelist E.L. Doctorow Reimagines the Past

The author's books follow the lives of fictional characters in real historical situations. Several of them have been made into films. Doctorow's newest novel, Billy Bathgate, takes place in the criminal underworld of early-twentieth-century New York City.

Interview
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09:32

A "Wordstruck" Journalist's New Memoir

Robert MacNeil hosts the Newshour program with Jim Lehrer. His latest book is about how his childhood experiences led him to a career in the news, and the importance of language and diction in his professional life.

Interview
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03:53

Well-Written "Somoza Falling" Is Unfailingly Fascinating

Former diplomat Anthony Lake's new book is about the tense relationship between the United States and Nicaragua during the final years of Anastasio Somoza's reign. Book critic John Leonard is impressed by Lake's thoroughness, as well as his recommendations for improved diplomatic relations -- though the author is not without his own political blind spots.

Review

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08:37

Music Writer Peter Guralnick

A conversation with music writer Peter Guralnick about the death of Sun Studios founder Sam Phillips. Guralnick is the author of a two volume biography of Elvis Presley: Last Train to Memphis and Careless Love.

Interview
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05:50

Sam Phillips' Fan Dance

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Fan Dance, the new recording by Sam Phillips, and her first album in five years.

Review

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What evolution reveals about eating, dieting and fat

DANIEL LIEBERMAN, author of the new book Fed Up: What Evolution Reveals about Food, Diet, Health and Eating Well. He’s a professor of biological Sciences at Harvard. And he's the founding chair of Harvard's Department of Human Evolutionary Biology. As part of his research, he tried a series of diets to see how his body reacted, including the Atkins diet and lesser known diets like the Blue Zone diet. (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW).

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