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Fresh Air: Subculture Legends

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These artists began in obscurity but had an indellible impact on music, and pop culture. Listen to interviews with icons like Chuck D, Iggy Pop, and Grandmaster Flash, and remember singular talents like David Johansen, Joey Ramone, and soul singer Sharon Jones.

Episodes

  1. Fresh Air: Subculture Legends Trailer

    10/29/2025

    Fresh Air: Subculture Legends Trailer

    Some artists become famous quickly, but for most it's a gradual growth. This collection elevates artists who began in obscurity but had an indellible impact on music, and pop culture.  Listen to interviews with icons like Chuck D, Iggy Pop, and Grandmaster Flash, and remember singular talents like David Johansen, Joey Ramone, and soul singer Sharon Jones. Subscribe to Fresh Air+ to get exclusive access to this and other collections. Plus, you'll get exclusive Fresh Air+ archive episodes every Sunday, and sponsor-free listening for all available episodes. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    1 min
  2. Singer David Johansen

    03/07/2025 • FRESH AIR+ ONLY

    Singer David Johansen

    We remember singer David Johansen, founding member of The New York Dolls who died last week at the age of 75. The legendary 1970’s band never sold many records but they had a lasting influence, paving the way for punk rock. JOHNASEN also performed in his persona Buster Poindexter, a pompadour-wearing lounge lizard. And he played the blues with his band David Johansen and the Harry Smiths.

    35 min
  3. Kathleen Hanna, Rebel Girl, Riot Grrrl

    05/13/2024 • FRESH AIR+ ONLY

    Kathleen Hanna, Rebel Girl, Riot Grrrl

    Musician, writer, and artist Kathleen Hanna, co-founder of the so-called Riot Grrrl movement of the 1990s. Her memoir is called Rebel Girl, which is also the name of one of the best known songs by her band Bikini Kill. She’s playing shows again, with Bikini Kill, and her other bands, Le Tigre and The Julie Ruin.

    37 min
  4. Tom Waits: Singer, Carnival Barker

    10/07/2022 • FRESH AIR+ ONLY

    Tom Waits: Singer, Carnival Barker

    Since the 1973 release of his first album, Closing Time, Tom Waits has won fans over with his original songwriting and distinctive, gravelly vocal style. Musicians including Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen and Rod Stewart have recorded covers of his songs. He has also acted in films, including Sylvester Stallone's Paradise Alley, Jim Jarmusch's Down By Law and Robert Altman's Short Cuts. In 2011, he was inducted into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame, and released his album “Bad as Me.”

    39 min
  5. Punk Legend, Viv Albertine

    07/16/2018 • FRESH AIR+ ONLY

    Punk Legend, Viv Albertine

    Growing up in North London in the 1960s and '70s, Viv Albertine never dreamed that one day she'd be a rock star. For one thing, she says, "There [were] just no role models ... I never heard of anyone, any female playing guitar."

    37 min
  6. Soul Singer Sharon Jones

    07/28/2016 • FRESH AIR+ ONLY

    Soul Singer Sharon Jones

    The energetic lead singer for The Dap-Kings spoke to Fresh Air in '07 and again in '16, after she'd been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. "I want to perform," she said in July. Jones died in November of 2016.

    38 min
  7. Iggy Pop

    07/14/2005 • FRESH AIR+ ONLY

    Iggy Pop

    The grandfather of punk, Iggy Pop, talks about his music and career

    45 min
  8. Grandmaster Flash, DJ and hip hop forefather

    07/08/2002 • FRESH AIR+ ONLY

    Grandmaster Flash, DJ and hip hop forefather

    At the dawn of hip hop, he recorded with the Furious Five. Their hits included "The Message" and "White Lines (Don't Do it)". Nearly 3 decades ago, Flash created the 'Quick Mix Theory,' the process of blending one music break with another.

    24 min
  9. Jeff Tweedy of Wilco

    05/02/2002 • FRESH AIR+ ONLY

    Jeff Tweedy of Wilco

    Founder of the band Wilco, Jeff Tweedy. He also sings, writes songs, plays guitar and banjo. The band got started as an alternative country band.  Before forming Wilco in 1994, Tweedy headed the band Uncle Tupelo.

    24 min
  10. Ramones Singer, Joey Ramone

    04/17/2001 • FRESH AIR+ ONLY

    Ramones Singer, Joey Ramone

    We remember Joey Ramone the lead singer of the punk band The Ramones. He died in 2001 at the age of 49. He had lymphoma. From their start in 1974, the Ramones combined fast, deafening guitar with precise drumming to create a hurricane of sound. Their songs had titles like Beat on the Brat, Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment and Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue.

    10 min
  11. Public Enemy Founder, Chuck D

    10/15/1997 • FRESH AIR+ ONLY

    Public Enemy Founder, Chuck D

    Founder of Public Enemy, Chuck D. With the group's emergence in 1987, they ushered in politically conscious rap, portraying the world of many young urban black men, of limited opportunity, drugs, guns, and violent death.

    25 min
  12. Singer, Guitarist Bob Mould

    09/08/1994 • FRESH AIR+ ONLY

    Singer, Guitarist Bob Mould

    In the 1980's, Mould pioneered alternative rock with the band Husker Du, making what was described as "angry, self-hating music." Mould went solo for a while after the band fell apart after also forming the band Sugar.

    21 min

Trailer

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These artists began in obscurity but had an indellible impact on music, and pop culture. Listen to interviews with icons like Chuck D, Iggy Pop, and Grandmaster Flash, and remember singular talents like David Johansen, Joey Ramone, and soul singer Sharon Jones.

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