Rock

A new documentary about Paul McCartney, his life after the breakup of The Beatles and the formation of his band Wings is streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The film was made by our guest, Morgan Neville. He also directed documentaries about Fred Rogers, Anthony Bourdain and Orson Welles, as well as many prominent musicians, and has won an Oscar, Emmy and Grammy. Morgan Neville spoke with FRESH AIR's Ann Marie Baldonado.

Weir was 16 in 1963 when he ran into Jerry Garcia at a music store in Palo Alto. They decided to start a band, which evolved into the Grateful Dead. Weir died Jan. 10. Originally broadcast in 2016.

Biographer Peter Ames Carlin describes the making of Born to Run as an "existential moment" for Springsteen. Carlin's book is Tonight in Jungleland. Originally broadcast Aug. 7, 2025.

Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead in their home on Sunday, and their son was arrested on suspicion of murder. Today we're going to listen back to the interview I recorded with Rob Reiner in September. But first our TV critic, remembers Reiner's contributions to TV and film.

The Miami-born, Cuban American musician, who died Dec. 8, played music that embraced Latin rhythms, roots, rock 'n' roll, and country. Originally broadcast in 1995.

Toussaint was an important behind-the-scenes figure in New Orleans R&B during the '50s and '60s. He later became known for his own recordings. He died in 2015. Originally broadcast in 1988.

Cash was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He spoke to Fresh Air in 1997 about his career, from touring with Elvis to singing at prisons. He died in 2003.

Phillips spoke to Fresh Air in 1997 about launching Elvis Presley's career at Sun Records. He also produced early recordings of B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash. He died in 2003.

At its best, this capacious grab-bag of 83 songs, some dating back to the 1980s, yields not just good music, but songs that seem unlike anything else Springsteen has ever done.

Faithfull, who died Jan. 30, was discovered at a Rolling Stones party in 1964 and later became Mick Jagger's girlfriend. She went on to become an acclaimed singer. Originally broadcast in '94 and '05.

Though Alex had been the guitarist in the family, when they formed Van Halen, it quickly became clear who would play: "[Ed] made that instrument sing." Originally broadcast Oct. 29, 2024.

An interview recorded with Bruce Springsteen in 2016, after the publication of his memoir, "Born To Run."

The singer-songwriter and Talking Heads frontman presents some of his favorite holiday music — including songs by The Pogues, James Brown and LCD Soundsystem. Originally broadcast Dec. 20, 2023.

Alex Van Halen is a founding member of the rock band Van Halen. His new memoir is called "Brothers."

A few years ago, Bon Jovi stopped performing due to a vocal cord injury. The Hulu docuseries Thank You, Goodnight highlights his surgery and return to stage. Originally broadcast April 24, 2024.

Rogers' latest album, Don't Forget Me, features songs written from the perspective of a 25-year-old woman who's leaving home and embarking on a road trip through the American Southwest.

McDonald's new memoir, What A Fool Believes, which he co-wrote with comedian Paul Reiser, chronicles his childhood in Ferguson, MO., his early years as a session musician and his decades-long career as a member of Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers and as a solo artist.

Eddy, who died April 30, was one of the first instrumentalists to become a rock and roll star. His hit songs included "Rebel Rouser," "Ramrod" and "40 Miles of Bad Road." Originally broadcast in 1988.

There's a new four-part documentary about Jon Bon Jovi's life and career called "Thank you, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story." Bon Jovi is celebrating the 40th anniversary of their first album and a new album will be released in June called "Forever."

St. Vincent describes her latest album, All Born Screaming, as an exercise in "tension and release" — with some moments that play as sonic "jump scares."