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.
This Train, Part 1 (c. 1963)
Tonight, the Best of Studs Terkel presents part one of “This Train,” WFMT’s annual remembrance of the 1963 civil rights march in Washington, D.C. Studs joined hundreds of Chicagoans on a train bound for Washington. He recorded their thoughts and experiences on his portable tape recorder and wove those historic voices into this award-winning documentary.
This Train, Part 2 (c. 1963)
This edition of the Best of Studs Terkel is devoted to the second and final part of the award-winning documentary,“This Train.“ Studs wove this sound-scape commemoration of the 1963 March on Washington from voices he recorded on a train bound for Washington, and at the event itself.
Ursula Oppens (01/09/1994)
This hour of music and conversation from WFMT’s Studs Terkel archives features the American classical concert pianist and educator, Ursula Oppens (1944 –). First heard in January 1994, the show includes Ms. Oppens performing compositions by Tobias Picker, Beethoven, and Ravel.
Tribute to Jacques Brel (10/08/1978)
Tonight, the Best of Studs Terkel features Studs’ tribute to the late Belgian poet and composer, Jacques Brel (1929 – 1978). The extraordinary and prolific songwriter and performer died on the 9th of October, 1978, at the age of 49. This program was originally broadcast over WFMT on the morning of Brel’s death. And, of course, it brims with Brel’s ...
John Prine (c 1970)
This acoustic time capsule features the first of many times that the influential singer and songwriter John Prine (1946 – 2020) visited with Studs Terkel on WFMT. The program dates back to the early 1970’s – not long after Prine first burst onto the lively Chicago folk scene, and shortly before the release of his very first album. He spoke ...
Steve Goodman (c 1976)
In the time we have remaining, here is a portion of a Studs Terkel program, from 1976, featuring one of John Prine’s good friends, the songwriter, performer, and incandescent guitarist, Steve Goodman (1948–1984).
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.
