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44:13

Musicians Joe Hunter and Jack Ashford

Musicians Joe Hunter and Jack Ashford were part of the group of musicians known as the Funk Brothers whose sound defined Motown in the 1960s and 70s. They worked with such legendary performers as Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, The Miracles and many more. The Funk Brothers are the subject of the new documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown.

45:15

Soul Music Legend Gladys Knight

Gladys Knight began her singing career at age 4 and went on to lead one of the most successful vocal soul groups in America, Gladys Knight and The Pips. The group stayed together for 39 years before disbanding. The group's most notable songs include "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "Neither One of Us," and Midnight Train to Georgia." Knight has launched a solo career since. Terry interviewed Knight before a live audience in San Francisco earlier this year.

Legendary soul singer Gladys Knight
22:25

Willie Mitchell on Shaping Hi Record's Soul Sound

Record producer Willie Mitchell. A new retrospective album of the 60's and 70's "Hi Label" hits has been released. Mitchell was one of the hit makers for the Memphis-based label in its early days and later was the influential producer who made the sounds of soul greats Al Green, Ann Peebles and Otis Clay so well known.

Interview
06:27

Sugar Hills Records Launched the Rap Revolution

Fresh Air rock historian Ed Ward takes a look at the record label, which emerged as a subsidiary of All Platinum Records. It promoted rap music soon after it first emerged in New York nightclubs.

Commentary
21:16

Motown Founder Berry Gordy

Gordy and his record label made stars out of musicians including Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson. He has written his autobiography, "To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown: An Autobiography."

Interview
20:42

Martha Reeves on Polishing Her Motown Image

Martha Reeves is the lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas, the Motown group which made it big in the 60's with such hits as "Nowhere to Run," "Heat Wave," and "Dancing in the Street." Her new autobiography, "Dancing in the Street: Confessions of a Motown Diva," is about her career, her conflicts with other Motown singers and managers, and her experiences touring during the height of the Civil Rights movement.

Interview
21:36

Record Producer Jerry Wexler

A live interview with the former Atlantic Records executive. Wexler was the producer behind some of the greatest soul music of the 60s, including classic sessions with Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. His memoir of his career is called "Rhythm and the Blues."

Interview
06:43

An Independent Label Finds Success with Black Artists

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward gives us the first part of a two part history of Scepter Records, which--led by Florence Greenberg--discovered and produced the Shirelles and Dionne Warwick, and helped bring black music into the mainstream.

Commentary
07:14

Record Mogul Bobby Robinson.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Bobby Robinson and his Harlem record labels which were responsible for such hits as "Kansas City," and "Fannie Mae," and for launching the career of Gladys Knight.

Commentary
06:50

Ruth Brown's Early Years.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Ruth Brown. Back in the 50s, Brown was one of the country's top female R&B singer, with hits such as "So Long" and "Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean."

Commentary

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