Music

John Szwed has written a new biography of Sun Ra, the orchestra leader and piano player who claimed to be from outer space. His new book is "Space is the Place: The Lives and Times of Sun Ra" (Pantheon Books). Szwed is Musser Professor of Anthropology, African American Studies, Music and American Studies at Yale University.

Guitarist and record producer Scotty Moore, was Elvis Presley's first guitarist and manager and one of the early influences of the rock guitar sound. He has co-written an account of his work with the King of Rock'n'Roll, entitled "That's Alright, Elvis." (Schirmer Books) He also has a new CD out of collaborations he and drummer DJ Fontana did with various musicians including Keith Richards, Tracy Nelson and Cheap Trick, among others. The CD is entitled "All the King's Men." (RCA)

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Frankie Lymon.

Moore, who died Tuesday at the age of 84, booked gigs for Presley during the early part of the musician's career. He later penned the memoir, That's Alright, Elvis. He inspired a generation of guitarists. Originally broadcast in 1997.

Folk singer and collector of folk recordings Mike Seeger. In the early 1950s he sought to preserve the music traditions of the mountains of the Southeast U.S. thru recordings and through his own playing. In 1958 he cofounded the New Lost City Ramblers. Seeger is the half-brother of folk singer Pete Singer. He has a new collection of music he recorded: "Close to Home: Old time Music From Mike Seeger's Collection: 1952-1967" (Smithsonian). There's also a new collection: "There Ain't No Way Out: New Lost City Ramblers" (Smithsonian)

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz on his recent junket to Brazil.

Rock critic Ken Tucker takes a look at this summer's hit singles.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Woman's Day" (Grammavision) the new release by Trumpeter Ron Miles.

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers soul singer and songwriter Paul Kelly. He had one big hit in 1970. (Warner brothers released a compilation of his recordings in 1996)

Guitarist Link Wray. He's credited with inventing the "power chord" in the 1950s. His first big recording hit was "Rumble" an instrumental piece that he wrote. When he went to record it in the studio he wasn't happy with the sound on the amp, so he pierced holes in the speaker cone to create additional distortion. Later guitarists like Pete Townshend and John Lennon were influenced by his work. Wray's other hits include "Rawhide" and the Batman Theme. Rhino records released "Rumble: the Best of Link Wray" in 1993.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new double CD by the hiphop group Wu Tang: "Wu Tang Forever" (RCA, Loud label)

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Poptopia" (Rhino Records) a collection of three decades of power pop.

Critic Milo Miles reviews the reissue of Iggy Pop's "Raw Power."

Singer Syl Johnson had hits in the nineteen-sixties and seventies such as Come on Sock it to Me and Take Me to the River. Rappers including TLC and Hammer have sampled his early tunes. Johnson will perform, backed up by a four piece band.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Fresh Air: a presentation of blues music and interviews with performers at the world-famous Chicago Blues Festival recorded on June 8, 1997. Featuring Dan Penn, a master of nineteen-sixties soul and the writer of hits such as Cry Like a Baby and Sweet Inspiration. His songs have been recorded by artists including Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding. Penn is joined by his long-time songwriting partner Spooner Oldham, a talented keyboard player, who has recorded with Arthur Alexander and Box Tops and has toured with Bob Dylan and Neil Young.

Also performing with Penn and Oldham, Rufus Thomas, the self-proclaimed world oldest teenager. He played an integral role in the success of major record labels in the nineteen-fifties, Sun Records and Stax Records. He celebrates his 80th birthday at the festival by playing with his son, Marvell Thomas.

A concert and conversation with Eric Comstock. He's a cabaret singer and pianist whose love is rediscovering lesser known songs in American popular music history. InTheater magazine wrote, "Comstock tickles the ivories like a virtuoso and sings in a clear, warm straightforward style that owes much to Fred Astaire." For today's concert, he'll be joined by Dean Johnson on bass. Comstock has a new album, called "Young Man of Manhattan." (Harbinger Records)

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz has been following the work of choreographer Mark Morris. Today he talks about Morris' career and some of his recent work.

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the Byrds.

Music critic Milo Miles reviews two "outstanding" world music CDS from 1996: "The Subtle Body" (Bar/None label) by Brazilian singer/guitarist Arto Lindsay, and "Money No Be Sand" (Original Music) an anthology by world music pioneer John Storm Roberts.