Fresh Air
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Fresh Air with Terry Gross, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs.
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Episodes
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Roots of Rock: Pop hitmaker Dion
Dion, a former teen idol, was deeply influenced by blues and country music. He had his first hit, "I Wonder Why," in 1958, with the doo-wop group The Belmonts. Originally broadcast in 2000.
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Roots of R&B: New Orleans songwriter and producer Allen Toussaint
Toussaint was an important behind-the-scenes figure in New Orleans R&B during the '50s and '60s. He later became known for his own recordings. He died in 2015. Originally broadcast in 1988.
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Fresh Air Weekend: R&B singer and pianist Charles Brown; Ray Charles
Brown created an expressive style of music that blended rough Texas blues with the soft glamour of Hollywood. Charles shaped American music since the 1950s with hits like "Georgia on My Mind."
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Roots of R&B: Record producer Jerry Wexler
Wexler produced hits for Atlantic Records by Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett, and is credited with coining the term "rhythm and blues." He died in 2008. Originally broadcast in 1993.
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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.
