Pop

Today, we remember Sonny Bono. He died yesterday afternoon in a skiing accident. He was 62. Bono was completing his second term in the U.S. Congress. He was the second most-requested speaker at House members events during the 1996 campaign season. Although he ended up in politics, many of his know him best for his work in music and show business. Terry Gross spoke with him in 1991, three years before he was elected to Congress. (Rebroadcast of 7/17 and 7/18 1991).

Rock critic Ken Tucker talks with Terry Gross about the albums he liked best in 1997.

Writer Gay Talese reads from "Sinatra Has a Cold" an article he first published in Esquire Magazine in 1966. The reading aired on public radio's This American Life last February. Talese's books include, "Unto The Sons," the story of the immigrant experience in America, and also the chronicle of Talese's own Italian ancestors coming to this country. Also the best-sellers "The Kingdom and the Power," "Honor Thy Father," and "Thy Neighbor's Wife."

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.

Musician Michael Penn. His latest album, "Resigned," (Epic) was released this fall. Penn's other albums include 1989's "March" which spun the single "No Myth" and won him an MTV "Best New Artist" award, and 1992's "Free for All" (RCA). Penn also contributed to the film "Boogie Nights" by writing its score music; his song "The Big Top" appears on the soundtrack.

Music Critic Ken Tucker reviews Shania Twain’s newest CD Come On Over. (Mercury Records)

Composer Saul Chaplin passed away Saturday at the age of 85. We pay tribute to Chaplin by playing a recording of a 1972 interview with Sammy Cahn at New York's 92nd St. Y. Cahn collaborated with Chaplin on many of his most known works.

Record producer and former guitarist for the band Chic, Nile Rodgers. In the late 1970s Chic was one of the most successful disco groups. Hits included "Dance, Dance, Dance," "Le Freak," and "Everybody Dance." As a record producer, Rodgers has worked with Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, INXS, and Madonna. (Rebroadcast of 8/20/1996)

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "The Velvet Rope" (Virgin Records) the new album by Janet Jackson, her first in four years.

Jazz singer and guitarist John Pizzarelli. He's put out seven albums in the past two years, playing guitar in his drumless trio, which features his brother Martin on bass. His latest CD, "Our Love is Here to Stay" (RCA) features re-workings of songs by Johnny Mercer to the Gershwins to the Beatles, and this time Pizzarelli interprets these standards along with a 17-piece orchestra. John is the son of jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli.

Lyricist Hal David. For years he's collaborated with music writer Burt Bacharach. Between them they've written such famous songs as "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head," "Close to You," "What's New, Pussycat?," and "That's what Friends are For." David has received every major music industry award in addition to 20 gold records, awards such as an Academy Award, a Grammy, and induction into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame.

Chuck D founder of the rap group Public Enemy. With the group's emergence in 1987, they ushered in politically conscious rap, portraying the world of many young urban black men, of limited opportunity, drugs, guns, and violent death. Their song "Fight the Power" was featured Spike Lee's film, "Do the Right Thing." In 1989 the group was the focus of controversy when one of its members, the "minister of information" made anti-semitic comments. Other band members spoke out against the remarks.

Will Friedwald has written a new encyclopedic guide to the music legacy of Frank Sinatra: "Sinatra! The Song is You: A Singer's Art" (Da Capo Press). The work chronicles Sinatra's five-decade career, drawing on interviews with his many collaborators, and interviews with Sinatra himself, and includes a discography of his well know, as well as little known recordings. Friedwald is also the author of "Jazz Singing."

In New York City, the 92nd Street YMCA, is better known as The 92nd Street Y a cultural arts center. Maurice Levine the director of the 92nd Street Y's "Lyrics & Lyricist" series for 26 years died on Monday at the age of 79. The program spotlighted American lyricists and composers like Alan Jay Lerner, Stephen Sondheim, and Dorothy Fields. The series had consistently been a sell-out. (Originally aired 12/11/96)

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews the new album by Oasis.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new recording by Ron Sexsmith "Other Songs" (Interscope). He made his debut two years ago.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Frankie Lymon.

Rock critic Ken Tucker takes a look at this summer's hit singles.