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The master of funk, GEORGE CLINTON. He began his musical career as a teenager when he formed The Parliaments. But in the early 70s, Clinton put together a second group, "Funkadelic," that became enormously influential on the pop music scene. Their 1970 album, "Osmium," set the tone for Clinton's wickedly ecclectic style; songs ranged from metaphysical gospel to country and acid rock. But their big hit came with the album "Mothership Connection." In songs like "Tear the Roof Off the Sucker," "Get Up on the Downstroke" and "Think! It ain't illegal yet," Clinton blended rap with a heavy rhythm line that defined the funk sound and culture. (REBROADCAST from August 8, 1989.

Conrad Murray was convicted in the pop star's death because he provided Jackson with a powerful anesthetic. Under California law, Murray was eligible for parole after serving a bit less than half his 4-year prison sentence.

Rapper and actor Ice-T...one of the original "gangsta" rappers. He's got a new CD,Greatest Hits: The Evidence (Atomic Pop). Greg Knot of The Chicago Tribune has written that "Ice-T is that rare gangster rapper who leads with his brain instead of his gun or his crotch." Ice-T's 1992 song Cop Killer landed him at the center of a controversy about gansta rap -- is it a legitimate form of expression or is it incendiary hate-mongering? In addition to his singing career, Ice-T is an actor. He will be Munch's partner on the new (2000) season of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. He has also starred in films New Jack City, Trespass, and Ricochet.

Singer EMMYLOU HARRIS. Shes been making records for over 30 years with music that transcends the counry-genre she started with, encompassing folk, rock, and pop. After decades of performing others songs, she has a new album of her own songs –Red Dirt Girl— (Nonesuch). She wrote 11 of the 12 songs on the CD. –Red Dirt Girl— will be released September 12. Its her first solo album since her 1995 –Wrecking Ball— record. (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW).12:28:30 FORWARD PROMO (:29)12:29:00 I.D. BREAK (:59)12:

His biography of Bing Crosby is "Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams--the Early Years, 1903-1940." It's now out in paperback. From 1930s to the 50s, Crosby was a pop culture icon, dominating American entertainment with his hit records and movies. In this first volume of the biography, Giddins chronicles the rise of Crosby's career. Giddins may be best known as a jazz columnist for the Village Voice. He won the 1998 National Book Critics Circle Award for his book "Visions of Jazz." He was one of the experts featured in Ken Burn's Jazz series on PBS. (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW). (REBROADCAST from 1/24/01)

Country singer CHARLIE RICH. He got his start working with the Sun record label in the late 50s, writing tunes for Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash. From there he began making records himself. In the 70s his songs "The Most Beautiful Girl," and "Behind Closed Doors" were big country-pop hits. During the '80s he dropped out of sight. But he released a new album last year, "Pictures And Paintings," featuring jazz and blues standards (Sire/Warner/Blue Horizon). (REBROADCAST FROM 9

Husband and wife song writing team, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, the duo responsible for such songs as Youve Lost that Loving Feeling, On Broadway, We Gotta Get Out of This Place, Here You Come Again, Dont Know Much, and more. The two met when they were both working in the famous songwriting landmark, the Brill Building Mann as a composer and Weil as a lyricist. The two have been writing ever since. In edition to their many pop hits, Mann and Weil have also written songs for films.

Thirty years ago, Pink Floyd's recording The Dark Side of the Moon became the number one album on Billboard magazine's pop music chart. So began the longest streak in music chart history: 741 weeks on the Top 200. No other recording comes close. The album has touched one generation after the next, which is odd because it's such a quirky album of electronic music, sound effects, saxophones, and a famous but unidentified female singer performing scat. Reporter Jad Abumrad of member station WNYC went around New York City to ask likely listeners why Dark Side has lasted.

For the latest installment of "What Are You Listening To?" NPR's John Ydstie speaks with Adam Sarmiento of Norman, Okla. He's a drum and percussion teacher, a landscape gardener, and a member of a pop rock band called The Candles.

After five decades of pop hits, Neil Sedaka is preparing for a Carnegie Hall concert of Yiddish music. NPR's Scott Simon talks with the entertainer about his lengthy career and return to his musical Jewish roots.