Rock

Rufus Thomas was a Memphis-based disc jockey who helped promote black music throughout the south. He also became a recording artist and producer who wrote dozens of dance hits. Rock historian Ed Ward has this profile.

Darlene Love sang with the 1960s girl group The Blossoms, and recorded hits with producer Phil Spector. Their professional relationship was rocky; Love later severed ties with him. Her first solo album, Paint Another Picture, has just been released.

The Queens-based punk band has a new disc compiling some of their best tracks. Frontman Joey Ramone joins Fresh Air to discuss how the group formed, the punk attitude, and the changing sounds of popular music.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles singer-songwriter Alex Chilton, an American musician whose career began when he was still a teenager. His band Big Star was critically-lauded but short-lived.

Rock critic Ken Tucker remembers the songs that defined the season. Standouts for him were Steve Winwood's beer commercial anthem, Public Enemy's new album, and an edgy ballad by Crowded House.

Rock historian Ed Ward says "scrunch" is that romantic longing you feel as summer races toward its end. He talks about the songs that typified this phenomenon for him over the decades.

The punk band X returns with a live album recorded at the legendary L.A. rock venue. Rock critic Ken Tucker says it's a fitting testament to the group's decade-long career -- which, rumor has it, may soon come to an end.

Brian Wilson suffered a nervous breakdown and spent years in seclusion. Now he's back with a new solo album. He tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross about how he approached songwriting early in his career, the influence of drugs on his music, and the role the controversial Dr. Eugene Landy plays in Wilson's personal and professional life.

Rock critic Ken Tucker says that the talented musician often subverts his often good music to make dumb, dirty jokes. Whether you think Zappa is a genius or a jerk will determine whether you'll invest in Rykodisc's new collections of his live performances.

The record label, led by producer Sam Phillips, launched the careers of legends like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Rock historian Ed Ward remembers several of the other, lesser-known acts Phillips signed during Sun's heyday.

Cleveland-based rock band Pere Ubu captured the raucous sound of punk years before the rise of the Sex Pistols. Rock critic Ken Tucker says singer and songwriter David Thomas's warbling vocals capture emotions not often featured in the genre: distraction, confusion and pure bliss. Pere Ubu's newest album is called The Tenement Years.

The luthier got his start making acoustic guitars for country and folk musicians. He later built instruments for rockers more accustomed to the feel of an electric guitar. Ferrington's custom designs are often asymmetrical, and incorporate the wants and needs of his clients.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the 1950s singer and guitarist, who was best known for his hit "Summertime Blues." Cochran died of injuries sustained during a limo accident while touring in England.

Temple spent more time making his first feature -- The Great Rock 'N' Roll Swindle, featuring the Sex Pistols -- than he did in film school. He's since made his name making music videos for rock bands. He joins Fresh Air guest host about the controversy surrounding Neil Young's video for "This Note's for You," which MTV has decided not to air.

Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson returns with his first solo album. Ken Tucker says Wilson has held onto the innocence associated with his old bands' early album. That said, it's impossible to separate the music from the bizarre media narrative of Wilson's personal life.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the band Mott the Hoople, whose weird and "wildly inconsistent" albums typified the sound of the 70s.

Pat DiNizio fronts the rock band The Smithereens, whose new album is called Green Thoughts. He joins Fresh Air to talk about his musical inspirations and straightforward approach to lyric writing.

Patti Smith returns with Dream of Life, her first album in nearly a decade. Rock critic Ken Tucker says her mix of avant-garde lyrics and working-class populism may make her America's John Lennon, but she uses up her best ideas too quickly.

Part II of the Fresh Air interview with Penelope Spheeris. Terry Gross asks the filmmaker about growing up in a carnival, the prophetic power of rock music, and making movies about youth culture. Spheeris's new documentary is The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years.