Charismatic Singer Joe Cocker Dies At 70
The British singer, who won American hearts for his performance at Woodstock, died of lung cancer.
Music & Culture
Singer Joe Cocker Dies At Age 70
Joe Cocker, the raspy-voiced British singer famous for hit songs such as "Feelin' Alright" and "Up Where We Belong," has died, his management agency says.
Nick Lowe Brings His 'Quality Holiday Revue' To America
"We think it's all a bit vulgar, you know, cashing in on Christmas," Lowe says of the British. He says he took it as a challenge: Quality Street tackles old classics and adds originals to the mix.
When The Beatles Gave Fans A 'Crimble' Present
In the 1960s, the Beatles sent their most loyal fans a Christmas gift every year — a flexi-disc. NPR's Rachel Martin talks to music writer Colin Fleming about the annual holiday single.
Wexford Carols Brings Irish Holiday Relics To Life
A new Christmas music collection resurrects Irish carols from the 17th century. NPR's Scott Simon talks to singer Caitriona O'Leary and producer Joe Henry about songs both sacred and political.
Playlist: What Music Means
Our favorite interviews about music from the TED Radio Hour.
Music A Longtime Feature Of Cuba-U.S. Cultural Exchange
Cuban rhythms and melodies have been part of what's been called the most American of art forms — jazz — ever since Jelly Roll Morton first heard them in the port of New Orleans and used them in his music. Josephine Baker performed in Cuba and Nat King Cole recorded there. But the revolution made cultural exchange all but impossible and even supposedly open-minded artists and musicians took sides.
Remembering Christopher Hogwood, An Evangelist For Early Music
The English conductor, keyboard player and musicologist died Wednesday at age 73. He used modern scholarship and keen musicianship to bring new life to works by Handel and Bach, Mozart and Haydn.
How Tchaikovsky's 'Nutcracker' Became A Holiday Tradition
Renee Montagne talks with Miles Hoffman about the history of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite. Hoffman is the violist of the American Chamber Players, and authored The NPR Classical Music Companion.
A Bicentennial For Boston's Handel And Haydn Society
The group gave the first U.S. performance of Handel's Messiah, and still plays it today. Yet the ensemble has constantly evolved.