Fridays at 11:00 pm
Archival gems from historian Studs Terkel’s longstanding WFMT interview program
For 45 years (1952-1997), WFMT was home to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Studs Terkel. Over the years, the guests on his daily radio show ranged from ordinary Chicagoans to international figures: political leaders, writers, performers, social activists, and labor organizers. Studs was remarkable in his depth of knowledge and in his ability to get others to share in spirited and insightful discussion.
Learn more about the Studs Terkel Radio Archive by visiting its website.
Tito Gobbi (11/10/1971)
With Lyric Opera’s current production of Don Giovanni, WFMT revisits Studs Terkel’s 1971 interview with one of the great historical proponents of Mozart and Da Ponte’s impenitent villain. This is one of Studs’ many conversations with the Italian operatic baritone and musical scholar, Tito Gobbi (1913-1984), and it took place when Mr. Gobbi was in town to direct Lyric’s production ...
Judy Collins (07/12/1963)
Studs Terkel’s guest in this musical hour is the celebrated American creator and interpreter of songs, Judy Collins. This program first aired on WFMT in July 1963, and features Judy, some of her own songs, and some of her contemporaries, too. Judy Collins brings her Sweet Judy Blue Eyes: Farewell tour to sold-out performances at the Old Town School. Tonight, ...
The Brothers Gershwin (02/06/1979)
Our weekly sojourn through Studs Terkel’s programs of yesteryear brings us to his great love of the musical output of the brothers Gershwin. In this WFMT broadcast from 1979, complete with the snap and crackle of well worn record albums, Studs explores the work of composer George Gershwin (1898–1937) and lyricist Ira Gershwin (1896–1983).
Ladysmith Black Mambazo (05/12/1992)
Joseph Shabalala (1940–2020) founded the now-legendary, South African, a cappella vocal ensemble, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, in 1974. In May 1992, Mr. Shabalala and members of the group visited with Studs Terkel on WFMT. They were in Chicago for their first partnership with Steppenwolf Theater Company – Tug Yourgrau’s play the Song of Jacob Zulu, which later garnered a half-dozen Tony ...
David Amram (7/3/1986)
The composer, multi-instrumentalist, and polymath, David Amram, never met a musical language, culture, or instrument he didn’t like. Amram was born in New York City on November 17, 1930, and in his honor, let’s revisit July 1986, and this cherished archive conversation with Studs Terkel.
Vine Deloria, Jr. (01/20/1975)
In 1975, Studs Terkel spoke with Vine Deloria, Jr. (1933–2005), the respected Lakota historian, intellectual, activist, and author.
Paul Badura-Skoda (03/06/1989)
When the Austrian concert pianist Paul Badura Skoda (1927–2019) visited WFMT in 1989, he and Studs Terkel discussed technology, Mozart, and Mr. Badura Skoda’s extraordinary career.
