Rock historian Ed Ward begins his five-part series on the history of the blues. Today's installment includes Mamie Smith, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Furry Lewis, Blind Willie Johnson, and Tommy Johnson.
Leno talks with Terry about his life: growing up, his struggling years as a standup (with other comics like Robin Williams, Andy Kaufman, and Steve Martin), and taking over The Tonight Show. His new memoir is called "Leading With My Chin."
TV critic David Bianculli says the new sitcom is positioned to draw viewers back to network TV with its star Ted Danson -- but it's not love at first sight.
Simon's plays and movies include, "Barefoot in the Park," "The Odd Couple," "The Goodbye Girl," "The Out-of-Towners," and "The Sunshine Boys." He won a Pulitzer Prize for his play "Lost in Yonkers." He has a new memoir, called "Rewrites"
Fresh Air linguist Geoff Nunberg talks with Terry about the new collection of essays he's edited, "The Future of the Book," about how new technologies are affecting the future of printed books.
Gornick talks with Terry Gross about her new collection "Approaching Eye Level." Gornick writes about the many issues she's wrestled with: fear of loneliness, being alone, and her need to live in a city. She also writes essays on avoiding marriage, why the telephone has killed the letter, and post-divorce living.
Journalist and author Edward Behr talks with Terry Gross about his new book "Prohibition: Thirteen Years That Changed America." Behr has written ten other books including: "The Last Emperor," and "Hirohito: Behind the Myth."
Lindsay-Hogg talks with Terry Gross about his new film "The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus." The concert footage was shot 28 years ago, but hasn't been released until now. The film was shelved by the Rolling Stones and later lost for fifteen years.. A companion C.D. under the same title will be released today.
James Katz and Robert Harris talk to Terry Gross about the recently restored version of Alfred Hitchcock's classic "Vertigo." Katz was the restoration producer while Harris acted as restorer.
Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg looks at how Americans use the word "rich." In this election year, it's been deployed extensively by the two major presidential candidates. Nunberg looks at the origin of the word and why some well-to-do Americans don't like the label.
Jennings had sixteen #1 records, won two Grammy's and four Country Music Awards. He's recognized for helping to unify the country music audience. He intermingled the strict country-only traditions with rock and roll. Jennings was Buddy Holly's bass player; he gave his seat up to the Big Bopper on the plane which would crash, killing Holly and others. Jennings' new autobiography is called "Waylon."
Cochran talks with Terry Gross about his new book "Journey to Justice." The book is co-written by Los Angeles Times reporter Tim Rutten. Cochran discusses his role in winning Mr. Simpson a not-guilty verdict in the slayings of his wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.
Young talks with Terry Gross about his new book "An Easy Burden: The Civil Rights Movement and the Transformation of America." He served as Executive Director of Southern Christian Leadership Conference where he worked with Martin Luther King Jr. In 1972, he was elected to Congress. In 1977, President Carter named Young as Ambassador to the United Nations. He also served two terms as the Mayor of Atlanta.
Jo Ann Kay McNamara talks with Terry Gross about her book "Sisters In Arms: Catholic Nuns Through Two Millennia." It is published by Harvard University Press. McNamara is a Professor of History at Hunter College and at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.
The journalist talks with Terry Gross about his new PBS 10-part series "Genesis: A Living Conversation." The series will premier Wednesday, Oct 16th on many PBS stations. It also has the companion book "Genesis: A Living Conversation." The TV show features writers, theologians and artists discussing the first book in the bible.
