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We all know Motown and Bob Seger, but what about Detroit’s nearly forgotten rock scene? We’ll explore the history of garage rock, punk, blues and soul from the Motor City. Also: live... (episode)
Great musicians have come through creative blocks to produce outstanding works. But at least one was driven to suicide by vanishing inspiration. Today, we look at how artists cope w... (episode)
The President’s house might just be the hottest gig in the country right now. We’ll hear today about the long history of cultural events hosted by first families, including the Obamas... (episode)
Who determines a hit? Last week, the Billboard charts met a new challenger. The Ultimate Chart ranks artists and singles not just by sales and airplay, but also by their status on str... (episode)
Science fiction has a powerful grip on popular music, from Ziggy Stardust to R&B singer's Janelle Monae's current android alter-ego. Today, we explore how the literary genre continues... (episode)
An outdoor concert series in Coney Island kicked off last week with a concert by Neil Sedaka, despite opposition from local synagogues and community groups over noise. Today, New York... (episode)
The Broadway musical FELA! chronicles the life of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. Today on Soundcheck, the cast and band of FELA! perform live in the Greene Space. Indie-rock duo Dean & Br... (episode)
On today's show: two takes on the impact of the pivotal year 1970. First, it was the year the Beatles dissolved; we hear about the aftermath of their stormy breakup. Also: Singer-song... (episode)
West Side Story is the latest Broadway musical to look at using a virtual orchestra in place of live musicians. Today: man and machine battle for dominance of the orchestra pit in a S... (episode)
A massive rave in Los Angeles spiraled out of control last month, leading to the death of a 15-year-old girl and injuries to hundreds of others. We examine the fallout from Electric... (episode)