British musician Sting was the bassist and lead singer for the Police, which from 1978 to 84 produced a creative and popular blend of jazz and rock. Since beginning his solo career in 1982, Sting has released six albums. His latest "Mercury Falling," is scheduled for release in the United Sates on March 12.
Cultural critic Greil Marcus. He is the author of "The Dustbin of History" (Harvard University Press) about the history embedded in cultural moments. He'll talk with Terry about one of the essays in the book about the song, "Too Soon to Tell," written by Deborah Chessler and recorded by the Orioles in 1948.
James Carville, chief strategist of Bill Clinton's 1992 War Room, and an adviser to President Clinton. He has a new book in which he responds to the Republican's contract with America. It's called "We're Right, They're Wrong: A Handbook for Spirited Progressives." (in paperback, RANDOM HOUSE) Carville is also the co-author with his wife, Mary Matalin, of "All's Fair: Love, War, and Running for President." (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
On November 11, 1994, Eddie Polec was clubbed to death in a Philadelphia suburb by a group of rival high school kids. He was clubbed with a baseball bat on the steps of the St Cecilia's Church where he had been an altar boy. Investigators say he was beaten until limp and then held aloft "to give the bat-wielding youths a better shot." He had been waiting for his young brother, to walk home together when the group of kids arrived, looking for a fight. Eddie hadn't been part of the rivalry. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
On November 11, 1994, Eddie Polec was clubbed to death in a Philadelphia suburb by a group of rival high school kids. He was clubbed with a baseball bat on the steps of the St Cecilia's Church where he had been an altar boy. Investigators say he was beaten until limp and then held aloft "to give the bat-wielding youths a better shot." He had been waiting for his young brother, to walk home together when the group of kids arrived, looking for a fight. Eddie hadn't been part of the rivalry. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Film director Philip Haas. His newest movie is "Angels & Insects" based on the novella "Morpho Eugenia" by writer A.S. Byatt. Previously, Haas made his feature film debut with "The Music of Chance," adapted from a Paul Auster novel. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews Volume 1 of a series called "Keyboard Wizards of the Gershwin Era" featuring pianist Pauline Alpert (Pearl label).
Ramblin' Jack Elliott is a folk singer who has hopped freights, hitched cross-country, competed in rodeos, toured with Woody Guthrie, and influenced a young Bob Dylan. He's been singing since the late 1940's. He has his first studio album in over twenty-five years, "South Coast." (Red House Records, P.O. Box 4044, St. Paul, MN 55104 1-800-695-4687). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
Independent film director, writer and editor Mark Rappaport. His newest film is "From the Journals of Jean Seberg," about the actress Jean Seberg. The movie is a "fictitious autobiography" and places Seberg's life and work in a political context of the 1960s. Seberg's life ended in a tragic suicide. She grew up in Iowa, was best known for her role in Jean Luc Godard's "Breathless," and Otto Preminger's "Saint Joan." In the 60s she got involved with the Black Panthers.
John Perry Barlow is the co-founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which defends civil liberties in cyberspace. Barlow is also a former cattle rancher in Wyoming, and a former lyricist for the Grateful Dead. The Electronic Frontier Foundation is located at 1667 K St. NW, Suite 801, Washington, D.C. 20006-1605.
Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews a debut album by two Japanese women from the Lower East side of Manhattan, "Viva! La Woman" by Miho Hatori and Yuka Honda. The name of their duo is Cibo Matto.
Singer/songwriter Bonnie Raitt. Her newest release is her first live album, "Road Tested," (Capitol). It's been nominated for a Grammy. But today, Raitt is on Fresh Air to talk about the musicians and performers that inspired her. She'll play recordings by such blues artists as B.B. King, Mississippi Fred McDowell, and Sippie Wallace. Raitt recorded one of McDowell's songs on her new album.
Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Before and After" the new film starring Meryl Streep and Liam Neeson. . . This will be Stephen's last Fresh Air film review. He'll be going on to a new career in screenwriting. His adaptation for "Lolita" will hit the screen this Fall.
Music critic Milo Miles comments on the final tour of the Ramones. After the tour the group is disbanding. Also an excerpt of a 09/08/1988 interview with Joey Ramone.
