Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'ed ward'

The Staples Singers: Gospel Greats

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EDT

Rock historian Ed Ward tells the story of the Staples Singers, an American gospel, soul and R&B group.

Blues-Rock Virtuoso Lonnie Mack Rambles On

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:19:00 EDT

Rock historian Ed Ward considers Lonnie Mack, who sings soulfully and plays a mean guitar. While his career has slowed since the 1960s, he's still chugging along, writing new material from his Tennessee log cabin.

Chuck Berry in Perspective: A Rock History

Fri, 02 May 2008 10:52:00 EDT

Rock historian Ed Ward looks at Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer Chuck Berry and the career that made him a star. Berry's entire record output from the 1950s was recently released on a four-disc set from Hip-O-Select titled, Johnny B. Goode: His Complete '50s Chess Recordings.

In '60s San Francisco, Love Was the Song

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:02:00 EST

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the sound of San Francisco in the '60s, from the early days of countercultural upheaval through the Summer of Love in 1967. It's all lavishly documented in Love is the Song We Sing, a new four-disc set from Rhino Records.

Dylan, the Red Dog and the Real Summer of Love

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 12:04:00 EDT

Rock historian Ed Ward reviews three recent DVDs: the deluxe edition of D.A. Pennebaker's Bob Dylan documentary Don't Look Back, a Dylan press conference released as Dylan Speaks, and Rockin' at the Red Dog, a documentary on an all-but-forgotten bar in Nevada.

Doc Pomus, the Bluesman Who Paved 'Lonely Avenue'

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 11:37:00 EDT

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles songwriter Doc Pomus, the Brooklyn-born blues singer and songwriter who died in 1991. Born Jerome Solon Felder, he survived a childhood case of polio and went on to write hits for Ray Charles and Elvis Presley, among others. His songs include "Lonely Avenue," "Viva Las Vegas" and "Save the Last Dance for Me."

Motown Records' Magical Year

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:00:00 EST

Rock historian Ed Ward says that 1964 was a "magical year" for Motown Records.

Remembering Floyd Dixon

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 12:23:00 EST

Rock historian Ed Ward pays tribute to Floyd Dixon, a pioneering rhythm & blues singer and piano player who died this summer at age 77.

Honoring Rock's Arthur Lee

Mon, 07 Aug 2006 17:02:00 EDT

Rock historian Ed Ward pays tribute to Arthur Lee, leader of the rock group Love, who died last week in Memphis. He was 61.

America's Beatles... Meet the Aerovons

Thu, 27 Jul 2006 13:02:00 EDT

Ever since Chuck Berry, St. Louis has been producing rock music that defies the prevailing norm. But is it possible that in 1969 it also produced America's Beatles, a band no one ever heard? Rock historian Ed Ward investigates the curious case of the Aerovons.

Reggae Pioneer Desmond Dekker

Tue, 30 May 2006 14:04:00 EDT

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers Jamaican singer Desmond Dekker, who died last week at the age of 64. His 1969 hit "Israelites" was for many Americans the first reggae they'd ever heard.

Doug Sahm's '60s Quintet

Thu, 25 May 2006 16:11:00 EDT

Few musicians are as identified with Texas as the late Doug Sahm. But Sahm also spent five years in exile in California, where rock historian Ed Ward got to know him. Ed takes a look at this period, in which he says Sahm and his band, the Sir Douglas Quintet, did some of their most lasting work.

The Legend of Professor Longhair

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 16:32:37 EST

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles New Orleans pianist Professor Longhair. (This profile originally aired on March 21, 1989.)

'One Kiss': The Girl Groups of Yesteryear

Wed, 12 Oct 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Ed Ward reviews One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds, Lost and Found.

Mott The Hoople

Mon, 22 Aug 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Mott The Hoople August 22, 2005 · Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the short-lived but influential '70s English rock 'n' roll band Mott The Hoople.

'People Get Ready': A History of Gospel

Mon, 15 Aug 2005 00:00:00 EDT

'People Get Ready': A History of Gospel August 15, 2005 · Rock historian Ed Ward reviews a new history of gospel music, People Get Ready! by Robert Darden.

Sounds of Philadelphia: Cameo and Parkway Records

Mon, 25 Jul 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Sounds of Philadelphia: Cameo and Parkway Records July 25, 2005 · Rock historian Ed Ward tells us about Philadelphia's Cameo and Parkway record labels. From the late 1950s to the late-'60s, their hits included "The Twist," "South Street" and "Bristol Stomp." ABKCO Records has just released a Cameo-Parkway four-CD retrospective.

Giving Motown Its Due

Mon, 18 Jul 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Rock historian Ed Ward talks about the early days of the legendary Motown record label and salutes some of its first artists who never quite made it.

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' First Year

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Rock historian Ed Ward look back on the beginnings of Motown's Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.

Charlie Poole's Early Banjo Country

Mon, 16 May 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Charlie Poole's Early Banjo Country May 16, 2005 · Rock historian Ed Ward reviews a three-disc release of a Charlie Poole recording from the 1930s. The record, You Ain't Talkin' To Me, is from the Columbia Legacy label. Poole was a banjo-playing pioneer of country music.

Pretty Things: 'Come See Me'

Wed, 27 Apr 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Rock historian Ed Ward tells us about the British band The Pretty Things, a band that was a spin off-of group of the early Rolling Stones. Last year they released the reissue, Come See Me: The Very Best of The Pretty Things.

Big Blast from the Past: Rock and Roll Trio

Tue, 12 Apr 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Big Blast from the Past: Rock and Roll Trio April 12, 2005 · Music historian Ed Ward remembers the Rock and Roll Trio, from the early 1950s made up of brothers Johnny and Dorsey Burnette and electric guitarist Paul Burlison. Their recordings have been collected on the Hip-O Select label.

Sounds of Old L.A. Jazz on 'Pachuco'

Wed, 30 Mar 2005 00:00:00 EST

Sounds of Old L.A. Jazz on 'Pachuco' March 30, 2005 · Rock critic Ed Ward finds a forgotten chapter of American pop history: the 1940s sound of East Los Angeles. Hear original recordings of vintage Latin music collected on the new CD Pachuco Boogie, from Arhoolie Records.

Tracing Psychedelia's Roky Roots

Mon, 14 Mar 2005 00:00:00 EST

Tracing Psychedelia's Roky Roots March 14, 2005 · Roky Erickson was the front man for the 13th Floor Elevators, the first band to be called psychedelic. While they never became superstars, the Texas band's influence can still be felt today. Rock historian Ed Ward has a retrospective on Erickson's career.

'Goodbye, Babylon': Rare Faith Music Finds

Mon, 17 Jan 2005 00:00:00 EST

Ed Ward reviews Goodbye, Babylon, a six-CD anthology that culls strange, rare and fiery finds of American gospel and other religious music from the early 20th century. The box set is produced by maverick label Dust-to-Digital.