Rock

Rock critic Greil Marcus. Dutton books has just issued a third revised edition of Marcus' 1975 classic analysis of rock and roll in America, "Mystery Train."

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the Gee and End record labels. They were the first to produce vocal-group records for teenagers by groups like Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, the Cleftones, and Arlene Smith and the Chantels.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward continues his look at the history of surf music. (We're talkin' Beach Boys, we're talkin' Jan and Dean, we're talkin' the MIGHTY CHANTAYS!!!!)

Musician and songwriter John Hiatt. Hiatt spent years writing country tunes for other performers. In the past few years he's come into his own as a performer, with several critically-acclaimed albums. His latest is called "Stolen Moments," on A&M Records.

Harold Bronson and Richard Foos, the co-founders of Rhino Records. Their label specializes in off-the-wall novelty records and anthologies of out-of-print recordings by the past greats of rock.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward takes the first of a two part look at surf music.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews a documentary on musician Paul Simon. It's called "Paul Simon: Solo" and it airs this Sunday on the Disney Channel.

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the late Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new albums from Fleetwood Mac and Peter Wolf, formerly of the J. Giles Band.

Musician Jerry Harrison of the Talking Heads. His new album's called "Walk on Water." (Interview by Amy Salit)

Musician Michael Penn. His debut album's called "March."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews what he thinks are some of the best new albums on independent labels...The Spanic Boys' debut album on Rounder Records and Ben Vaughn's new album on Enigma, "Dressed in Black."

Musicians Tom and Ian Spanic. Together, the pair form the rock and roll band, The Spanic Boys. The band plays a country-twang influenced type of rock and they just released their first album, also called "The Spanic Boys." It's on Rounder Records.

Rock historian Ed Ward plays us some tracks from the "Million Dollar Quartet" sessions. It was an early 60s recording date at the Sun Studios in Memphis, featuring Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash.

Rock historian Ed Ward concludes his two part look at the early days of singer Little Richard.

Rock historian Ed Ward begins a two-part profile on Little Richard. This week he tells us about Little Richard's early years, when he had more ambition than success and was still trying to make his mark in the music world.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward explores the roots of doo-wop from jazz harmonists the Cats and the Fiddle to groups such as the Ravens and the Orioles.

British singer-songwriter John Wesley Harding. Born in the historical seaside town of Hastings, Harding has looked to the United States for his creative influences--from his Cambridge doctoral dissertation on the role of Jimmy Stewart in American films--to the songs of bluesman Robert Johnson, and folksingers John Prine and Jim Croce. His new album is called, "Here Comes the Groom."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Stolen Wishes," the new album by a band called Shoes, a little-known group from Zion, Illinois, who happen to write great, and we mean GREAT, pop songs. (The record's on Black Vinyl Records, 2269 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL, 60099).

Rock historian Ed Ward examines the second chapter in Liverpool's rock and roll history. After the Beatles, Liverpool became the focus of the emerging punk scene, with bands such as the Deaf School, Teardrop Explodes, and Echo and the Bunnymen.