Terry Gross
Stories
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Roots of Rock: Lyricist Jerry Leiber and composer Mike Stoller
Leiber and Stoller met in LA when Leiber still was in high school. They went on to write and produce songs for artists like Elvis Presley, The Drifters and Ben E. King. Originally broadcast in 1991.
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Roots of R&B: Singer Ben E. King
Ben E. King was the lead singer of The Drifters, and later went solo with such hits as "Stand By Me" and "Spanish Harlem." He died 2015. Originally broadcast in 1988.
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Roots of R&B: Singer Ruth Brown
Brown started out in the '40s and influenced a host of singers, including Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. Her hits include "Teardrops from My Eyes." She died in 2006. Originally broadcast in 1997.
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Roots of R&B: Singer LaVern Baker
Baker was one of Atlantic Records' first big success stories, with a series of hits in the 1950s, including "Bumblebee" and "Jim Dandy." She died in 1997. Originally broadcast in 1991.
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Roots of R&B: Pioneering musician/record producer Johnny Otis
Otis, who died in 2012, started out leading a big band. Later, as a talent scout, he discovered such performers as Big Mama Thornton, Esther Phillips and Etta James. Originally broadcast in 1989.
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Roots of R&B: Singer/songwriter Etta James
James was discovered as a teen by talent scout Johnny Otis. Her career took off in the '60s with hits like "All I Could Do Was Cry" and "At Last." She died in 2012. Originally broadcast in 1994.
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Roots of Rock: Country music legend Johnny Cash
Cash was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He spoke to Fresh Air in 1997 about his career, from touring with Elvis to singing at prisons. He died in 2003.
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Roots of Rock: Sun Records founder Sam Phillips
Phillips spoke to Fresh Air in 1997 about launching Elvis Presley's career at Sun Records. He also produced early recordings of B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash. He died in 2003.
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Roots of Rock: Rockabilly pioneer Carl Perkins
Perkins, who died in 1998, wrote "Blue Suede Shoes," the hit song sung by Elvis Presley, which became the first Sun label record to sell over a million copies. He spoke to Fresh Air in 1996.
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Roots of Rock: Guitarist Scotty Moore recounts playing with Elvis
Moore, who died in 2016, booked gigs for Presley during the early part of the musician's career and later penned the memoir, That's Alright, Elvis. He spoke in 1997 about recording "Blue Suede Shoes."