American Jukebox 83 Pop '50s Throwback & Other Classics

This edition of the jukebox features the full first hour steeped in the classic singers from '50s pop. Starting with Rosemary Clooney and Frankie Laine, the playlist includes other of yours and your parents' favs like Peggy Lee, Jo Stafford, Doris Day, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, and even Edith Piaf and Judy Garland.

This edition also includes '60s pop favorites like Dionne Warwick, Rick Nelson, Ray Charles, the Mamas and the Papas, Engelbert Humperdinck and other popular chartmakers.

Were the 1980s the worst years for music? NPR listeners seem to think so, according to the results of our poll. When asked to pick the best year for music, nearly everyone skipped the '80s entirely. On this edition of All Songs Considered, host Bob Boilen looks back at the decade of synth pop, hair metal, and hardcore with Stephen Thompson, editor of Song of the Day, Robin Hilton, All Songs Considered producer and host of Second Stage, and Carrie Brownstein, writer for the Monitor Mix blog. More info: (Click on the "For Stations" tab for set list and timing cues.) Available for free to NPR member stations. If you're not an NPR member station, contact programservices@npr.org

MN Reads talks with Kate Roberts, co-author (with Adam Scher) of Toys of the '50s, '60s and '70s (Minnesota Historical Society Press), a snapshot of the rhythms of American life during these times through the lens of 45 toys from the same time period. The book is published concurrent with an exhibit at the Minnesota Historical Society.

Dave Kenney talks to KUMD about his book “Minnesota in the ‘70s." The 1970s were more than big hair, mirror balls, and leisure suits. Minnesota transitioned merely a vague, snow-covered outpost in the American consciousness to a state of presidential candidates, grassroots activism, civic engagement, environmental awareness, and Mary Tyler Moore.

This is a story about a surprising journey that would have been virtually impossible without modern technology. WNPR Producer Lori Mack shares the tale of a revived musical career in company with high-school musicians, including the granddaughter of Dave Brubeck.

Jackie catches Pokemon. Emily talks to a Pokemaster. JP previews the week.

It's a romp through the past and a nostalgic trip down memory lane.  For others, it's just junk cluttering up a room or attic, but the modern myth of man doesn't belong to Gods, but heroes.  From Superman to Batman, Harry Potter to Yoda there is something within us that resonates with these characters who do the impossible.  And for many, these favorite characters are all but impossible to leave behind.  Andrew Hiller takes us to three venues that embrace collectables and revel in the stuff of yore whether it's a Roy Roger's cap gun, the first issue of Action Comics, or a barrel filled with thousands of plastic R2D2's.