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Terry Gross at her microphone in 2018

Terry Gross

Terry Gross is the host and an executive producer of Fresh Air, the daily program of interviews and reviews. It is produced at WHYY in Philadelphia, where Gross began hosting the show in 1975, when it was broadcast only locally. She was awarded a National Humanities Medal from President Obama in 2016. Fresh Air with Terry Gross received a Peabody Award in 1994 for its “probing questions, revelatory interviews and unusual insight.” America Women in Radio and Television presented her with a Gracie Award in 1999 in the category of National Network Radio Personality. In 2003, she received the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s Edward R. Murrow Award for her “outstanding contributions to public radio” and for advancing the “growth, quality and positive image of radio.” Gross is the author of All I Did Was Ask: Conversations with Writers, Actors, Musicians and Artists, published by Hyperion in 2004. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and received a bachelor’s degree in English and M.Ed. in communications from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She began her radio career in 1973 at public radio station WBFO in Buffalo, NY.

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15:04

A Vermont's Ice Cream Company's Attempt to Live Up to It's 1960s Values

Fred "Chico" Lager, former CEO of the Ben & Jerry's ice cream company. He joined the company in 1982, and together with Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, built the company from a small ice cream parlor to a $100 million publicly held company. Lager just wrote a book, "Ben & Jerry's: The Inside Scoop" about his experiences building a successful business while upholding the founders' original philosophy of business as a catalyst for social change.

Interview
21:49

How the Defeated Remembers World War III

Ian Buruma has just written the book, "The Wages of Guilt," which explores the different ways in which the people of Germany and Japan remember World War II. He seeks to explain why Germany has a collective sense of guilt over its war crimes, while Japan tries to forget its involvement in the war. Buruma's other books include "God's Dust" and "Playing the Game."

Interview
15:44

The Return of R&B Singer Lavern Baker

Baker had a series of hits in the 50s, among them "Bumblebee," and "Jim Dandy to the Rescue." During her hiatus from performing in the United States, she lived in the Philippines and booked concerts for American soldiers. We replay our 1991 interview with her.

Interview
21:32

Rhythm and Blues Pioneer Johnny Otis

Johnny Otis is a pioneer of rhythm and blues music best known for his 1945 big band hit "Harlem Nocturne," and his 1958 his record "Willie and Hand Jive," which was in the top ten on R&B charts. Otis is back on the road and in the recording studio now. In January he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in February, he was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. His latest CD, "The Black Territory Bands," was nominated for a Grammy in the Big Band category for 1994. We replay our interview with him from 1989.

Interview
15:54

Lesley Gore Discusses her Life and Career

Singer Lesley Gore. In 1963, when she was only 16, Leslie Gore recorded one of the greatest songs in rock and roll history, "It's My Party, and I'll Cry If I Want To." Gore has stayed in the business since the 60s, and she's currently appearing at the New York City club, "Rainbow and Stars." Rhino records recently released a two record retrospective of her greatest hits.

Interview
19:57

Actress and Playwright Joan Plowright

British actress Joan Plowright. She's one of her nation's leading actresses, having appeared on the London stage since the mid 50s. She's also been on Broadway, had numerous role on British television, and appeared in the films "The Dressmaker," "I Love You To Death," and "Avalon." Plowright was married to the late actor Sir Lawrence Oliver. Her new movie is called "Widow's Peak."

Interview
44:45

What Will Happen When a Comet Strikes a Planet?

David Levy is an amateur astronomer. He's discovered 21 comets, both as an amateur and as part of a professional team. He recently discovered the comet that will crash into Jupiter on July 16th, and the comet is named after him. In a Smithsonian magazine article, he called this comet "the most cataclysmic event observed in our solar system since the dawn of civilization." Levy is a contributor to many astronomical magazines, and is the author of numerous books on astronomy.

Interview
16:43

Airlines After Deregulation.

James Glab is an airline industry reporter, who is a contributing editor of "Travel and Leisure," "Frequent Flyer" and "Travel Weekly." He recently co-wrote "Rapid Descent," (Simon and Schuster) that looks at how the airline deregulation law, which promised better service and lower airfares, led to chaotic airline fares and deteriorated customer service.

Interview
22:38

Buckley Satirizes Lobbyists in New Novel.

Christopher Buckley has just written a new political satire, "Thank you for Smoking" (Random), which pokes fun at everything and everyone associated with the tobacco industry-- from anti-smoking advocates to tobacco company executives. Buckley was George Bush's speechwriter from 1981-1983 when Bush served as Vice President. The son of William F. Buckley, he is the author of other political and social satires, including "The White House Mess" and "Wet Work." He is the editor of "Forbes FYI" magazine.

15:25

The Thirtieth Anniversary of Freedom Summer: Educator and Civil Rights Leader Bob Moses.

Educator Bob Moses. He was a leader in the Civil Rights struggle, helping to register black voters in Mississippi during the Freedom Summer of 1964. He's still a civil rights activist, though his weapon now is Math. He's the director and creator of the innovative Algebra Project which opens up educational opportunities for young African-Americans. Moses established the project in Cambridge, Mass in 1982. Since then it's been implemented across the country, and has reached 9,000 inner city youths. (REBROADCAST from 3/22/93)

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