Music Interviews

In 1980, Stevie Wonder helped campaign for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday to become a national holiday. "I never saw it as being political," he says. "I just saw it as being the right thing to do."

Music & Culture

Stevie Wonder Reflects On Motown, God And Prince

10:35am August 30, 2017

by Sami Yenigun

The one and only Stevie Wonder talks to Stretch, Bobbito and DJ Spinna about making music at Motown Records, pushing for the creation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and missing his friend Prince.

Queens of the Stone Age, led by Josh Homme (center). The band's new album Villains was released August 25.

Music & Culture

Amplified And Orbital: Queens Of The Stone Age's Josh Homme On Living In The Moment

9:53am August 30, 2017

The band's frontman and founder talks to Kelly McEvers about being "a now-ist," working with Mark Ronson and Iggy Pop and the dancey sound on the band's new record, Villains.

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Music & Culture

World Cafe: The National's Matt Berninger Reflects On Creating 'Sleep Well Beast'

9:13am August 30, 2017

The singer and lyricist reveals his secret to beating the jitters and having fun on stage, the subtexts of his band's new album and the things you miss when you don't pay attention.

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Music & Culture

Celebrating 30 Years Of 'Fresh Air': Ronnie Spector, Lead Singer Of The Ronettes

1:35pm August 29, 2017

Spector, who spoke to Terry Gross in 1988, was part of the 1960s girl group that gave us "Be My Baby." She left the music business for a number of years before returning to recording in the 1970s.

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Music & Culture

Celebrating 30 Years Of 'Fresh Air': Soul Singer Ben E. King

1:35pm August 29, 2017

King began his career in the '50s with The Drifters, but it was the '61 hit "Stand by Me" that sealed his musical legacy. He spoke with Terry Gross in '88 about his career and his childhood in Harlem.

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Music & Culture

Celebrating 30 Years Of 'Fresh Air': Singer Otis Williams, Founder Of The Temptations

1:35pm August 29, 2017

Williams started the famed harmony group, whose hits included "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud To Beg." Later he kept The Temptations together after its lead singers left. Originally broadcast in 1988.

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Music & Culture

Steve Earle On World Cafe

11:56am August 29, 2017

by Talia Schlanger

The prolific songwriter has a lifetime of stories, and you're gonna hear them — plus, a live performance of music from his latest album.

Music & Culture

World Cafe Nashville: Molly Tuttle

10:00am August 29, 2017

by Jewly Hight

Catching up with the first female to ever be nominated for International Bluegrass Music Association's guitarist of the year award — she was not expecting the honor.

Celebrated musician and composer Kinan Azmeh plays for students at the Refugee Youth Summer Academy.

Music & Culture

Kinan Azmeh Brings The Magic Of Music To Summer Camp For Refugee Children

3:15pm August 27, 2017

by Deb Amos

The acclaimed Syrian clarinetist has performed all over the world, but recently played before a different type of international audience: refugee children at a summer camp in New Jersey.

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Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real's new, self-titled album was released August 25.

Music & Culture

Lukas Nelson On Surfing And Stingrays, A Childhood On Tour And His Georgia Love Story

8:10am August 26, 2017

The Texas-born, Hawaii-raised musician has toured with Neil Young and his father, outlaw poet Willie Nelson. The new, self-titled album from his band, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, is out now.