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From Chuck Berry To Tupac Shakur: Taking Stock Of The 2008 Universal Fire

Chuck Berry in the Chess Records recording studio. The New York Times reports that originals of Berry's Chess catalog were burned in the 2008 Universal fire. Gilles Petard/Redferns/Getty Images hide caption

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Music News

From Chuck Berry To Tupac Shakur: Taking Stock Of The 2008 Universal Fire

June 12, 2019 • The loss from the 2008 Universal Studios backlot fire was thought to be a few movie sets and film duplicates. But Jody Rosen reports that it was one of the largest losses in recorded music's history.

From Chuck Berry To Tupac Shakur: Taking Stock Of The 2008 Universal Fire

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Remembering Harold Arlen, The Mystery Man Behind 'Over The Rainbow'

Composer Harold Arlen (sitting, right) joins Judy Garland, Bert Lahr (far left), Ray Bolger (back row, left) and various executives for a Wizard of Oz sing-along in the NBC radio studio, circa 1939. Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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Music News

Remembering Harold Arlen, The Mystery Man Behind 'Over The Rainbow'

November 7, 2015 • Arlen had major hits, won an Oscar and was called "the most original of all of us" by none other than George Gershwin, but he never became a household name.

Remembering Harold Arlen, The Mystery Man Behind 'Over The Rainbow'

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Actress and singer Judy Garland wearing as Dorothy from director Victor Fleming's film, The Wizard of Oz. Wikimedia Commons hide caption

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Wikimedia Commons

What Makes It Great

'Over The Rainbow,' From Kansas To Oz

October 15, 2008 • In the first entry of the series What Makes It Great, pianist and composer Rob Kapilow uncovers the secret to the success of "Over the Rainbow."

Hear 'Over the Rainbow' And What Makes It So Great

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Music Interviews

Wainwright to Channel Judy Garland, Live

June 10, 2006 • The concert poster for Judy Garland's 1961 performance at Carnegie Hall proclaimed her the "world's greatest entertainer." Rufus Wainwright is certainly less well-known than Garland, but he's retaining the set list and the superlative billing for his recreation of that legendary show.

Wainwright to Channel Judy Garland, Live

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Music

Harold Arlen, 'Come Rain or Come Shine'

February 15, 2005 • With a catalogue of more than 400 songs, including "Over the Rainbow," "Stormy Weather," and "Get Happy," the timeless music of Harold Arlen has kept America swinging, and singing, for decades. NPR marks the centennial of the songwriter's birth with an hour-long special.

Harold Arlen, 'Come Rain or Come Shine'

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Music Interviews

'No Place Like Home' Series: 'Over the Rainbow'

December 23, 2003 • NPR's Susan Stamberg continues her series on the meaning of "home" with the story of "Over the Rainbow," from the 1939 film classic The Wizard of Oz. The song that became Judy Garland's signature tune tells of longing to escape home for a more exciting place. Of course, as anyone who's watched the movie knows, Garland's Dorothy realizes there's no place like home. Hear different versions of the song.

'No Place Like Home' Series: 'Over the Rainbow'

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Bert Lahr (far right), Ray Bolger (back row, right), Judy Garland (sitting, right), composer Harold Arlen (sitting left), and various MGM and music publishing executives sing songs from the 1939 film musical 'The Wizard of Oz' around a microphone in the NBC radio studio, circa 1939. Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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The NPR 100

'The Wizard Of Oz'

December 18, 2000 • Author John Fricke tells the stories behind the beloved classic songs of The Wizard of Oz.

'The Wizard Of Oz'

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