Rock

Dave Alvin is the former guitarist for the Los Angeles band The Blasters. He's just put out a new album called "Blue Blvd." (Hightone Records) After writing songs for others, he's now writing for himself.

Terry interviews writer Greil Marcus about his new book, "Dead Elvis: A Chronicle of a Cultural Obsession." (see above) Marcus has written a biography of Presley that begins at his death. He documents the many-faceted cultural obsession with Elvis that has arisen since his death.

Singer-songwriter John Prine. He's just come out with his first studio album in 5 years, "The Missing Years." (It's on Oh Boy Records).

We remember rock impresario Bill Graham, who died this weekend in a helicopter crash. Terry Gross talked with Graham on May 17 of 1989. We'll play back part of that interview.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Hymns To The Silence," the new double album from Van Morrison.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the 60s San Francisco band, "Quicksilver Messenger Service."

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the songwriting team of Don Harris and Dewey Terry. They worked at Los Angeles' Specialty Records, where Little Richard also recorded, and gave the studio some of its biggest hits.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Use your Illusion," the new two-album set from the heavy metal band "Guns 'N Roses."

Rock historian Ed Ward looks at some of the bands that have changed their identities, and names, along the way, including: the Gladiolas/Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, James Brown, and the Primettes/Supremes.

Arnolds Karklis and Vidvuds Mednis of the Latvian-American rock group The Quags. The guys will play music and talk about their now-free homeland, and their new recording, One Of Us (Plate Records).

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Living With The Law," the new album from singer and songwriter Chris Whitley.

Television critic David Bianculli goes out on a limb, and reviews two live shows before they air..."Paul Simon Live in Central Park," which airs Thursday night on HBO, and "The Elvis Files," a syndicated show that tries to prove that Elvis Presley is still alive.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward looks back at the Gold Star recording studio and the summer of 1958, when a 17-year-old Phil Spector wrote his first hit.

Drummer Charlie Watts. For a quarter century, Watts has been the drummer for the rock band The Rolling Stones. Watts has also had a life-long love for jazz, particularly the jazz of Charlie Parker. Watts has put together a jazz combo that pays homage to Parker, called "From One Charlie," and he's written a kid's book about Parker, called "Ode to a Highflying Bird." (Both are published by UFO Records in England). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Pianist JOHNNIE JOHNSON. For nearly 30 years, Johnson was Chuck Berry's pianist. He played on all of Chuck's great hits, and he gained rock and roll immortality when Chuck Barry wrote the song "Johnnie B. Goode" about him. Now Johnnie Johnson has his own album, called "Johnnie B. Bad." (It's on Elektra/Nonesuch).

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles English disc jockey John Peel.

Part two of our interview with Sonny Bono. Today, he talks about the Sonny and Cher years, their breakup, and his going on to be elected mayor of Palm Springs, California. Bono has a new autobiography, called "And The Beat Goes On" (published by Pocket Books).

The first of a two-part interview with Sonny Bono. Today, Bono discusses his early years in the record business, his work with Phil Specter, and his meeting Cher. Tomorrow, he talks about the Sonny and Cher years, their breakup, and his going on to be elected mayor of Palm Springs, California. Bono has a new autobiography, called "And The Beat Goes On" (published by Pocket Books).

Record producer and consultant Colin Escott. Escott's had a long association with Sun Records, the company responsible for many of the great acts from the dawn of rock and roll. Escott has a new book about Sun, called "Good Rockin' Tonight" (published by St. Martin's Press).

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Luck of the Draw," the new album from Bonnie Raitt. It's the follow-up to her hugely successful 1989 album, "Nick of Time."