Pop

The actor Divine. He's now starring in John Waters' new film "Hairspray." Divine is known for his roles as freaky, obese, gaudy women. He's become a pop star in Europe.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a 1986 recording of a live performance of Leonard Bernstein's opera "A Quiet Place," the sequel to "Trouble in Tahiti." "A Quiet Place" traces what happened to the characters introduced in "Trouble in Tahiti," a satiric look at marriage and life in the suburbs.

Bob Geldof, the star of the Irish rock band The Boomtown Rats and organizer of the Band Aid and Live Aid benefit concerts to aid starvation victims in Africa. His autobiography is titled Is That It?

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the music of British pop stars Rick Astley and his sister Virginia. Rick Astley has the top hit in England - "Never Gonna Give You Up" - and the song is now getting wide airplay on U.S. stations. Virginia Astley has recorded several albums in Europe. Her first American album has just been released.

Television Critic David Bianculli previews "The Man Who Shot John Lennon," the "Frontline" documentary on Mark David Chapman. The program relies on audiotaped psychiatric interviews with Chapman, and on a close analysis of the novel The Catcher in the Rye, which Chapman followed as though it were a script for Lennon's murder.

Rock singer, songwriter and record producer T-Bone Burnett. He's produced the work of musicians like Marshall Crenshaw, Los Lobos, Roy Orbison and Elvis Costello. In 1975, Burnett travelled and performed with Bob Dylan's "Rolling Thunder Review." Burnett's new solo album, which he produced and wrote the songs for, is titled "The Talking Animals."

Adrian Cronauer, the airman disk-jockey whose stint as a rebellious Armed Forces Radio Network announcer during the Vietnam war is the basis for the movie "Good Morning Vietnam," starring Robin Williams. Cronauer, 49, is a former announcer for WQXR in New York and is now studying communications law at The University of Pennsylvania.

Singer Margaret Whiting. Her father, Richard Whiting, wrote many of her most popular songs, including "Too Marvelous for Words," "My Ideal," "She's Funny That Way," and "On The Good Ship Lollipop." Jerome Kern, Johnny Mercer and other great songwriters of the day were like uncles to her. She is now performing at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the soundtrack for the movie "Less Than Zero." Though the movie was something of a flop, the soundtrack continues to produce hits.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews the new album from the dB's, entitled "The Sound of Music." This is their fourth album, but the first to attract attention in the U.S.

Musician Allen Toussaint. For over twenty years he's been a force in New Orleans rhythm and blues as a singer, songwriter and piano player. He wrote hits such as "Working in a Coal Mine," written for Lee Dorsey, and "Mother in Law," written for Ernie K. Doe.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker surveys his picks for the year's 10 best releases.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker continues his review of new recordings with a Christmas theme. His survey begins with the punk band The Ramones and ends with Prince.

Rock singer and songwriter Bryan Ferry. In the 1970s, he was the lead singer and principal songwriter for the British band Roxy Music, the band that also launched the career of Brian Eno.

Classical Music Critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews two recordings of the Gershwin musicals "Of Thee I Sing" and "Let 'Em Eat Cake." They were both conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas earlier this year on the fiftieth anniversary of the composer's death.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews "Rainbow," the new album by Dolly Parton.

Rock historian Ed Ward will discuss the making of Phil Spector's Christmas Album, one of the most successful records of its kind.

Two novelty tunes from the 20s and 30s performed by singer and songwriter Michael Cooney.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews Bryan Ferry's new album "Bête Noire."

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews "Characters," the new album by Stevie Wonder on which he plays every instrument.