Remembrances

Lead Designer Of World's Most Popular Firearm Dies

7:24am December 25, 2013

The lead designer of the world's most popular firearm has died. Mikhail Kalashnikov, who helped invent the AK-47, was 94. David Greene talks to New York Times reporter C.J. Chivers, and author of The Gun, about the myths surrounding Kalashnikov and the weapon he made famous.

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Fresh Air Remembers Country Music Artist Ray Price

3:24pm December 20, 2013

When Price was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996, he was described as a living link from Hank Williams to the country music of today. He died Monday at the age of 87. We'll listen back to a 1999 interview he did with Terry Gross.

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Music & Culture

Country Music Legend Ray Price Dies At 87

8:06pm December 16, 2013

by Blake Farmer

Country music singer and songwriter Ray Price died Monday at the age of 87 at his ranch in Texas. Price was a Grammy Award Winner and who had more than 100 country hits in his decades-long career. A 1996 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, he was credited with pioneering a shuffle beat and walking bass line that became standard in Texas dance halls.

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Actor Peter O'Toole performed on stage and on film in many leading roles, and began his acting career in the 1950s when he was serving in the navy. He died on Dec. 14 at the age of 81.

Arts

Peter O'Toole, Exuberant From 'Lawrence' To His Last Role

10:35am December 16, 2013

by Bob Mondello

Actor Peter O'Toole had a larger-than-life movie career. The Hollywood legend was made famous in his title role in Lawrence of Arabia. He died Saturday at age 81.

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Peter O'Toole was nominated for an Academy Award for his title role in Lawrence of Arabia.

Arts

Peter O'Toole, A Life Even Larger Than 'Lawrence'

6:03pm December 15, 2013

by Nate Rott

Peter O'Toole, the Hollywood legend who was made famous in his title role in Lawrence of Arabia, died on Saturday in a London hospital. The 81-year old Irishman was nominated for eight Oscars in his distinguished career, and was known as a bit of a hellraiser.

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Jim Hall performs at the 2013 Newport Jazz Festival.

Music & Culture

Fresh Air Remembers Jazz Guitarist Jim Hall

7:57pm December 13, 2013

The guitarist, composer and arranger died in his sleep Tuesday at 83. Hall was known for a subtle, lyrical playing style, a gift for innovation and collaborations with a host of talented musicians in a career that stretched more than seven decades. Hear an interview from 1989.

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Celebrating The Centennial Of Lyricist Sammy Cahn

2:46pm December 13, 2013

Cahn spoke with Fresh Air's Terry Gross in 1985, and — as you'll hear — he'd sing his songs at the slightest provocation. He died in 1993, at the age of 79.

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Jim Hall performs with his trio and fellow guitarist Julian Lage at the 2013 Newport Jazz Festival.

Music & Culture

Remembering Jim Hall, A Different Sort Of Guitar God

10:10am December 11, 2013

by Tom Cole

The guitarist said he didn't "really have all that much technique anyway," but it was clearly enough to influence half a century of jazz musicians. Peers and proteges like Sonny Rollins, Julian Lage and John Scofield reflect on one of the finest ever on his instrument.

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World News

Throngs Celebrate Nelson Mandela's Legacy

12:11pm December 10, 2013

Renee Montagne brings us an update on the memorial service for the late president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.

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World News

In Soweto, World Leaders Remember Mandela's Legacy

12:11pm December 10, 2013

NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton offers an update on Nelson Mandela's memorial from Soweto's FNB Stadium.

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