Studs Terkel. 1912-2008

Posted at 5:49 PM on October 31, 2008 by Bob Collins (4 Comments)
Filed under: Icons

It was only two days ago that Mary Lucia and I were talking about her favorite interviews. Studs Terkel was #1 on her -- and lot of other people's -- list. He died on Friday.

We're luck enough here at MPR that he made a few visits. The format of the audio is RealAudio, but perhaps you'll enjoy a last listen to an American icon.

12/8/05 - Here's Mary's interview. "Who else could make falling down the stairs such a funny story," she told me.

8/11/05 - Tom Crann talked with Terkel about music. He was one of the people to recognize the genius of Bob Dylan early on.

2/10/06 - MPR's Midday presented this collection of interviews with Studs Terkel.

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Comments (4)

I am heartbroken.
I feel like something much bigger died in the passing of a 96 year old man.
He was the kind of tuned in, curious thinking man that just doesn't come along too often.
I'll never forget our conversation, it meant more to me than any rock star I've ever interviewed.
He was the real Rock Star.

Posted by lucia | November 1, 2008 12:37 PM

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[Sniff] He was an American original, and will be sorely missed.

Posted by Auntie | November 1, 2008 5:51 PM

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Back at you Studs Terkel:

I reread a tribute Studs Terkel once made to one of my favorite poets; the late, great plains poet Thomas McGrath. Studs said, "Tom McGrath is one of my favorite poets."

"Clarity is what he's about" said Terkel.

And then he added..." Reading McGrath out loud and you find him singing a song that surges."

Terkel closed his tribute to Tom with the words..."Let it go at that. McGrath moves me."

Et tu Terkel. You too did "sing the song that surges."

So I'll "let it go at that" Studs. "You too move me."

beryl k gullsgate

Posted by Beryl Knudson | November 2, 2008 12:11 AM

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Bob, I wrote about one of my biggest regrets when we interviewed Studs four years ago for Speaking of Faith. I was a newbie then and didn't have the guts to pony up at the time. I'd do things differently now. Doh!

Posted by Trent Gilliss, Online Editor for Speaking of Faith | November 2, 2008 12:20 PM

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