Rock

Rock historian Ed Ward looks back at the Woodstock Festival and tries to separate the facts of the 3-day event from the warp of nostalgia twenty years later.

Myra Lewis. In 1958, when she was only 13 years old, Myra married rock star Jerry Lee Lewis, who was also her second cousin. The public controversy over that marriage ruined Lewis' career for over a decade. In 1982, Myra Lewis wrote a memoir of her life with Jerry Lee Lewis, titled Great Balls Of Fire. That book is the basis of the new movie starring Jerry Lee Lewis and Winona Ryder.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews two new albums from Los Angeles groups. The first is the debut album from Mary's Danish, a band that Ken says combines the roughness of punk with a sense of melody and humor. The other is the latest solo album from Don Henley, a former member of the Eagles.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Gene Vincent, an early rocker who, it has been said, "sounded more like Elvis than Elvis." After Elvis burst onto the scene, record companies scrambled to find Elvis look-alikes and sound-alikes. He became a bigger hit in England than America, but he's easily remembered for his hit "Be-Bop-A-Lula."

Book critic John Leonard reviews the memoir of rock musician Frank Zappa.

Joel Rosenman and John Roberts. Twenty years ago Rosenman and Roberts were in their 20s when they came into a large inheritance. They decided to take the money and promote a rock concert in upstate New York. What they ended up organizing was Woodstock, possibly the one event that best sums up an entire era of American history.

Rock Historian Ed Ward traces the origin of the 60s psychedelic ballroom scene, not to San Francisco, but to Austin, Texas.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews new albums by Marshall Crenshaw and Chris Isaak.

Vocalist Fred Schneider and singer/keyboardist Kate Pierson of the rock band The B-52's. In the late 70's, the group came to New York from Athens, Georgia and scored a hit with their song "Rock Lobster." Their danceable music and 60's style stood out among the new wave groups of New York's downtown music scene. They have a new album titled "Cosmic Thing."

Musician Lucinda Williams. She's been playing the folk and country scenes for most of the 80s, but her new album, titled "Lucinda Williams," is a type of straight-ahead story telling that crosses genres. Many listeners think of Williams as a folk singer, but in this album, Williams fronts a rock band.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new albums from singer/songwriters Jackson Browne and Loudon Wainwright III. Browne, though he's recorded infrequently over the last eight years, is still very popular, while Wainwright, who plays in small folk clubs and on college campuses, is little noticed. Ken explains why it's Wainwright that deserves the attention.

Rock historian Ed Ward examines glam rock, the 70s movement that glorified glitter, fashion. The two best examples are David Bowie and T. Rex.

Fresh Air's rock critic combs the music charts to see which artists are making a splash internationally, but failing to find success in the United States. He features songs by Roxette, Holly Johnson, Neneh Cherry, and Queen.

Its easy for musicians to fall out favor in the city if they don't keep up with the latest sounds. But Lee Dorsey, who started singing at 35, was never interested in following the trends. Rock historian Ed Ward has this profile.

The new Batman film has spawned two soundtrack albums -- one of Danny Elfman's orchestral score, and the latter a collection of songs written and performed by Prince. Rock critic Ken Tucker says the artist doesn't quite succeed in crafting the rock opera he strove for, but it's refreshing to hear hear him loosen up and let it all hang out.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the Chicago-based vocal group, founded in 1952. During their long career, they've only had two lineup changes, and continue to put out hit records.

Rock critic Ken Tucker says that record labels have started to take notice of underground artists from the Soviet Union. He reviews three recent albums from Russian artists with hopes of American success.

Rock historian Ed Ward says that bands like the Rolling Stones helped popularize the distinctly African American genre. Interest in blues led more musicians to picking up the electric guitar, including Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, who would take rock music in a new direction.

Part II of the Fresh Air interview with Danny Elfman. He talks about writing the score for Tim Burton's new Batman movie. He sees his film composing as entirely distinct from his work in the rock band Oingo Boingo. The different approaches, he says, serve both efforts.

Rock critic Ken Tucker says that Paul McCartney's recent lackluster work has been eclipsed by other pop stars, including fellow Beatle George Harrison. His new album, Flowers in the Dirt, is familiar and sentimental, but features a few good songs cowritten with Elvis Costello.