Ed Ward

Fresh Air's rock historian Ed Ward discusses the roots of his own musical tastes.

Rock historian Ed Ward will review the rise and fall of the Chantels, the girl group from the 50s that paved the way for groups like the Shirelles and the Ronettes. (Rebroadcast of September 8, 1987.)

Rock historian Ed Ward will discuss the making of Phil Spector's Christmas Album, one of the most successful records of its kind.

Rock historian Ed Ward will profile The Standells. Their big hit was titled "Dirty Water." The group's name surfaced in the news recently when someone tried to impersonate Dick Dodd, the group's leader in an Austin, Texas nightclub.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles James Carr, the little-known 60s soul singer, thought to have been the equal of Otis Redding and Wilson Picket.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Bobby Fuller, whose band, The Bobby Fuller Four, had hits including "I Fought the Law." Fuller came from West Texas, the region that Buddy Holly came from, and tried to emulate Holly's mannerisms and music. Fuller was just catching on in Los Angeles when he died under suspicious circumstances at age 23.

Rock historian Ed Ward will explore the gospel roots of soul great Sam Cooke.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles some of rock's most memorable break-in records, which are singles made up of snippets of many different records. These include records by Bill Buchanan and Dickie Goodman's Flying Saucer.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Dike and the Blazers, a group that played in the mid-60s and put Phoenix on the Soul map.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks at the songs the Beatles gave away, the songs Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote at the urging of manager Brian Epstein for other Liverpool bands.