Rock

In the late 1970s Rodger's band Chic was one of the most successful disco groups. Its hits included "Dance, Dance, Dance," "Everybody Dance," and "Le Freak." Rodgers' is featured in "VH1 Presents the 70's," a new five part documentary series by the cable channel VH1 on the music of the 1970s. As a record producer, Rodgers has worked with Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and Madonna.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new album by Syd Straw, the singer of the New York cult band the Golden Paliminos.

Another excerpt from "This American Life" Sarah Vowell tells us about a fan of the Seattle pop-punk band Fastbacks. He's no ordinary groupie, though, and dedicates as much energy to fandom as many performers devote to their music. "This American Life" airs weekly on public radio stations and is produced by Ira Glass at Chicago's WBEZ.

Collins has managed the band Aerosmith since 1984. A former addict and in his early days with the group, he often procured drugs for the band. He later helped the members get sober and revitalize their careers. Collins believes band managers and record executives need to work with musicians to overcome the systemic use and abuse of drugs. He works in Cambridge, MA as the founder and president of Collins Management.

Critic Milo Miles recently attended the Further Festival near Boston, a reunion of Grateful Dead band members, their colleagues and their fans. He has these thoughts.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Waiting Around for the Crash," the new album by the Philadelphia group, Go to Blazes. It's their sixth album.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Metallica's new CD, "Load," which was five years in the making.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Walking Wounded" by the English duo, Everything But the Girl.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews two new collections: guitarist Rick Holmstrom's "Look Out," (Black Top) and Ronnie Dawson's "Just Rockin' & Rollin'" (Upstart).

Singer and poet, Patti Smith. Her new CD, "Gone Again" (Arista), is inspired by the passing of her musician-husband, Fred "Sonic" Smith of the MC5, and her brother, Todd. They died weeks apart in the fall of 1994. Her first four albums, recorded in the 1970s, established Smith as skinny "Godmother" of punk. Through the 1980s, while raising her children in a Detroit suburb, Smith recorded one album but made plans to record new music with Fred in the summer of 1995.