Speakeasy

Frankie Valli, best known as the front man of The Four Seasons, sits down with legendary musical director/bandleader Paul Shaffer.

Cyndi Lauper, the Grammy award winning singer and social activist, sits down with Tony Award winner Billy Porter, star of Kinky Boots, to discuss how not only music, but how Kinky Boots has changed their lives and the importance of self acceptance.

The legendary David Crosby sits down with Wynton Marsalis and has an intimate, frank conversation. This unique pairing of musical legends features an intimate discussion of their lives as musicians, the history and development of American Roots music and the impact that music has had on the social and political landscapes.

Two time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Graham Nash sits down with two time Grammy Award winner Rita Coolidge in their first in depth conversation in 45 years as part of Front and Center’s series Speakeasy.

Joe Elliott, best known as the lead singer and frontman of the legendary rock band Def Leppard is used to being on the receiving end of interviews. In this episode of Speakeasy the tables have turned and Elliott is the one asking the questions of famed singer/songwriter Ian Hunter. Elliott first met Hunter in 1977, when he snuck backstage at a festival in Europe. It was not until years later that they would form a bond and friendship that would endure. Hunter first achieved commercial success as the lead singer of English rock band Mott the Hoople before continuing his career as a solo artist. In this intimate conversation, the duo speak about the power of music, the resurgence of vinyl/box sets, and their respective relationships with David Bowie.

Nile Rodgers, the three-time Grammy Award-winning producer, guitarist and founding member of CHIC, invites Valerie Simpson of Ashford and Simpson to reminisce and candidly discuss his illustrious career and personal journey.

In 1965, Roger Waters co-founded Pink Floyd, one of the most influential rock bands in history. “The man behind The Wall” sits down with American television journalist Bill Weir to discuss his legendary career.

John Mellencamp settles in to answer questions and to discuss his early days as Johnny Cougar, his work with Stephen King, Farm Aid, his recently released new album and work as a painter, with Rolling Stone magazine co-founder Jann Wenner.

Carlos Santana, the ten-time Grammy Award-winning guitarist and composer, meets with social activist and “King of Calypso” Harry Belafonte.

Best known as the lead vocalist and bassist for the band Rush, Geddy Lee spends his time on Speakeasy talking with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon.