Terry Gross
Stories
-
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.
-
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.
-
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."
-
Remembering British actor Terence Stamp
Stamp, who died Aug. 17, was part of a wave of working-class British actors who came up in the 1960s. His films include Billy Budd, The Limey and two Superman films. Originally broadcast in 2002.
-
'SNL' castmember Bowen Yang shares a piece of 'cultural contraband' from his youth
Growing up with immigrant parents, first in Canada and then in the U.S., Yang was "obsessed" with pop culture and Saturday Night Live. Now he's up for an Emmy for his performances on the venerated sketch series.
-
Novelist Thomas Mallon looks back on the early years of the AIDS epidemic
In 2023, Mallon spoke about his novel, Up With the Sun, which is based on the life of a little-known actor who was gay and closeted. His new book is The Very Heart of it: New York Diaries, 1983-1994.
-
Remembering jazz singer Sheila Jordan
Jordan, who died Aug. 11, was a teen when she first heard a Charlie Parker recording. Later she became part of the jazz scene in Detroit and New York City. Originally broadcast in 1981 and 1988.
-
Musician Charley Crockett blends R&B with cowboy songs and outlaw ballads
Crockett grew up poor and got his start busking for tips. He's since played the Hollywood Bowl and been nominated for a Grammy. He talks music and plays songs from his new album, Dollar A Day.
-
A big break after age 40 is possible. Just ask Jeff Hiller of 'Somebody Somewhere'
Hiller spent years scraping by in Hollywood by taking on various small roles. Then he landed the role of Joel on Somebody Somewhere and everything changed. His new memoir is Actress of a Certain Age.
-
Funkmaster George Clinton shares his musical inspirations
Clinton began his music career as a teen when he formed The Parliaments. In the early '70s, he put together Funkadelic, whose Mothership Connection album dropped in 1975. Originally broadcast in 1989.
