Rock

Surf guitar legend Dick Dale joins Fresh Air to talk about how he developed his signature style. He's featured in the new Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon movie Back to the Beach.

Singer Dion, from Dion and the Belmonts, is making a comeback singing Christian songs. He joins Fresh Air's Terry Gross to talk about his early career, growing older, and getting sober.

Booker T. and the M.G.'s guitarist Steve Cropper cowrote and played on countless soul music hits during the 1960s. While he focuses more on producing nowadays, his musical legacy endures. Rock historian Ed Ward tells his story.

Ken Tucker thinks that a new album by the Washington, D.C.-based band Trouble Funk might help prove that the genre is more than just a passing fad.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker will review "Bad," the new Michael Jackson album.

Rock historian Ed Ward will look at Cal-Mex music - the sound from East L.A. - and the legacy of "La Bamba."

Rock Critic Ken Tucker will review the novelty song "Elvis is Everywhere," by Skid Roper and Mojo Nixon.

Rock historian Ed Ward will profile the career of Esquerita, a gay, black piano player whose flamboyant style (and hairdoo) was an inspiration to Little Richard.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker on American guitarist Tom Verlaine, better known throughout Europe than his native country.

Rock historian Ed Ward will profile the evolution of Chuck Berry's best known song, "Maybelline."

Rock Critic Ken Tucker will review two albums, "Romeo's Escape," by Dave Alvin, and "The Lonesome Jubilee," by John Cougar Mellencamp.

Rock historian Ed Ward will look at the spiritual struggles of veteran rocker Jerry Lee Lewis and what role they played in his music.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker will review "Babylon and On," by the British group Squeeze.

Moe Tucker, drummer for The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed's band that won cult status in the mid-70s.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker will review "Tunnel of Love," the new and long-awaited Bruce Springsteen solo album.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the late New Orleans blues pianist and singer Smiley Lewis, a talent Ward says was consistently overlooked.

Cousin Brucie, one of the leading top-40 DJs in New York City in the early 60s when AM radio was king and New York radio set the national tastes in pop music.

Television Critic David Bianculli previews the HBO concert special of Billy Joel's recent performances in Leningrad.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks at the songs the Beatles gave away, the songs Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote at the urging of manager Brian Epstein for other Liverpool bands.