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Soundcheck / June 11, 2007

Soundcheck

Monday, June 11, 2007
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  • Clash Album Cover "London Calling"
    Clash Album Cover "London Calling"

    A Punk Hero's Tale

    He was born the son of a British diplomat. When he died, he was the man who fused politics with punk. Today on Soundcheck, a look at the turbulent life of Joe Strummer, leader of the legendary group The Clash. Also: Country singer and actress Mare Winningham talks about starring in the musical "10 Million Miles." Plus, a report card on the Tony Awards.

Tony Awards

Broadway celebrated the best of the theater season at last night's Tony Awards. Find out which nominees took home the big prizes as Soundcheck recaps the big night. Jeremy McCarter, theater critic of New York magazine, joins us.

The Ballad of Joe Strummer

As the frontman of the legendary band The Clash, Joe Strummer injected working-class politics into the punk movement. The band also tested punk's musical boundaries with explorations of reggae, rockabilly and even disco. When the group fizzled in the mid-1980s, fans and critics held Strummer accountable for breaking up a beloved band. We talk with Chris Salewicz, author of "Redemption Song: The Ballad of Joe Strummer," about Strummer's struggle with The Clash's legacy and his personal demons.

"Redemption Song" on Amazon

Mare Winningham

Country singer and actress Mare Winningham is an Academy Award nominee and two-time Emmy winner. She joins us to talk about starring in the musical "10 Million Miles" (based on the songs of Patty Griffin), and about her new album, “Refuge Rock Sublime,” which features original Jewish country/folk songs.

Mare Winningham at Joe's Pub details
10 Million Miles at Atlantic Theater Company
Mare Winningham's Web site

cab

Noteworthy New York

Soundcheck

We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.

Quincy Jones

The Journey of Quincy Jones

Soundcheck

During his 50-year career, Quincy Jones has worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Puff Daddy, founded Vibe magazine, collected countless awards, and earned a reputation as a jazz giant. (Somewhere in there, he found time to make possible an album called "Thriller.") Jones joins us on the occasion of his new book, "The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey & Passions."

Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on Quincy Jones, Henry Rollins and the term "Renaissance man"

death

Pop's Love Affair With Death

Soundcheck

Death may be an unpleasant topic for conversation, but it ranks up there with sex and love as a basic ingredient in song lyrics. Today, we look at how pop music copes (and even thrives) with death. We're joined by Graeme Thomson, author of the self-explanatory book, "I Shot a Man in Reno: A History of Death By Murder, Suicide, Fire, Flood, Drugs, Disease and General Misadventure, as Related in Popular Song."

Soundcheck blog: What's your favorite song about death?

John Lennon

Behind the public face of John Lennon

Soundcheck

Writing a book about the Beatles is to enter a crowded market. But Philip Norman’s new 851-page biography, “John Lennon: The Life” is getting much buzz this fall for the unprecedented access provided by Lennon’s friends and relatives, including Yoko Ono. We talk with Norman about why Lennon remains such a fascinating and troubled figure.

Dusty Springfield book jacket

The Soul of British Soul

Soundcheck

British soul divas like Amy Winehouse and Duffy owe a big debt to a '60s icon with a breathy voice and a beehive wig. Today: the story of singer Dusty Springfield. Later: folk-rock artist Ani DiFranco performs songs from her new album "Red Letter Year" live in our studio.