Rock

Pete Townsend. In the 1960's he made waves as the lead guitarist in the British rock group The Who. He was world famous for smashing guitars during concerts. Now, years after The Who split up, Townsend is busy with solo projects. "Tommy," the rock opera he wrote for The Who in 1969, is on Broadway. His latest album is called "White City."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Nirvana's new release, "In Utero."

Drummer and lead vocalist for the rock group The Band, Levon Helm. Helm's Arkansas roots gave the Canadian group an American folk sound. In the 1960's The Band, got it's start backing Bob Dylan. They went on their own in 1968 with "Music From Big Pink." The Band is back with a new album, "Jericho," and a tour. Helm's written a book about The Band called "This Wheel's On Fire" (Morrow).

Rock historian Ed Ward pays tribute to Otis Redding.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the Breeders new album "Last Splash"

World music commentator Milo Miles on the rebirth of rock and roll -- in Mexico.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Saturation," the new album from the band Urge Overkill. (Geffen)

Ken Tucker reviews the new benefit album organized to help singer/songwriter Victoria Williams, who is afflicted with multiple sclerosis: "Sweet Relief". The album features Lou Reed, Pearl Jam, Matthew Sweet and others performing her songs.

Rock and roll critic Dave Marsh talks about the song "Louie, Louie". He's written a book about it called, "Louie, Louie: The History and Mythology of the World's Most Famous Rock 'n' Roll Song: Including the Full Details of Its Torture and Persecution at the Hands of the Kingsmen, J. Edgar Hoover's F.B.I., and a Cast of Millions; and Introducing, for the First Time Anywhere, the Actual Dirty Lyrics." (Hyperion) The song was written by Richard Berry in 1957...as a tale of a lovesick Jamaican sailor.

Ed Ward on saxophone solos.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new release by U2, "Zooropa," (Island Records).

The man known as "the King of the Surf Guitar," Dick Dale. He launched surf rock in 1960 with his band, the Deltones. He described the surf sound in a 1963 article as "a heavy staccato sound on the low-key guitar strings, with a heavy throbbing beat--like thunder, or waves breaking over you." It's also played loud and with plenty of reverb. Dale defined the California sound, and influenced The Ventures, The Beachboys, and Jan and Dean. He also influenced later groups like Sonic Youth.

Chubby Checker got the credit for "The Twist," but the real credit goes to Hank Ballard who wrote the song and recorded it first (with the Midnighters') in 1958. Balalrd was a notorious figure in the early days of rhythm and blues. His song "Work with me Annie," was considered too lewd for many stations to play. Anyway, Ballard gets the credit for "The Twist," in a new documentary, "Twist" by film maker Ron Mann. Terry talks with both Hank Ballard and Ron Mann.

Rock historian Ed Ward discusses a record collection that "changed his life," "The Anthology of American Folk Music."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews a new album by Liz Phair, "Exile in Guyville" (Matador records).

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the original cast recording of the Broadway show "The Who's Tommy."

Johnston has four albums to his credit. The latest is, "Unlucky." His previous album, "Can You Fly," brought him to attention of many critics and garnered him much acclaim. Despite his love of hard rock, Johnston's songs have been described as "post-punk honky-tonk. . . performed by a lonely, heartbroken wiseass."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new Donald Fagen solo record, which was produced by Fagen's longtime Steely Dan cohort, Walter Becker.

Rock critic Ed Ward on the enduring legacy of British rock group Roxy Music.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the debut album from Julianna Raye, called "Something Peculiar." He says it's something wonderful.