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In 'Me,' Elton John Pulls Back The Curtain On A Storied Life

In 'Me,' Elton John Pulls Back The Curtain On A Storied Life

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Henry Holt and Co.

In 'Me,' Elton John Pulls Back The Curtain On A Storied Life

October 13, 2019 • In a wide-ranging interview with NPR about his memoir, the rock star shares that at 72 years old, he's finally ready to look back. He offers thoughts on his royal friends, drug use and cell phones.

Hear the interview 9:15

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Hand-picked songs curated by the NPR Music staff

New Music Friday: Our Top 6 Albums Out Oct. 11

Rapper Lil' Kim performing at the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta, Georgia. Her new full-length, 9, is on our shortlist for the best albums out on Oct. 11. Aaron J. Thornton/WireImage hide caption

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Aaron J. Thornton/WireImage

New Music Friday

Our shortlist of the best new albums out this week incudes Big Thief's Two Hands, rapper Lil' Kim's first new studio project in 14 years, a solo album from Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon and more.

Jazz Night In America: The Playlist

NPR

Jazz Night In America WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

A modern jazz survey at ground level, from stone classics to state-of-the-art jams.

Heat Check: Songs That Let It All Out

The Pendletons provide a jazzy, dancing-in-your-living-room soundtrack to self-care. Ivan Noble/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Ivan Noble/Courtesy of the artist

Heat Check

With new music from Wale, Swsh, Mahalia and more, these songs of catharsis are just what you need to disconnect.

Alt.Latino Playlist: Fall Music To Match Any Mood

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Alt.Latino

Riot Grrrl Chicana punk shares the mosh put with classic boleros and Latin jazz on this week's playlist.

NPR Classical

NPR Classical

A six-pack of do-it-yourselfers from indie-classical veterans like the Bang on a Can All Stars and cellist Maya Beiser, plus that ultimate DIY man by the name of Mozart.

Viking's Choice: Minimalist Rock And Roll, Sahrawi Folk Music, Motorcycle Synth

Real Life Rock & Roll Band applies minimalist techniques to rumbling, dueling guitar histrionics on its debut album, Hollerin' the Spirit. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Viking's Choice

Real Life Rock & Roll Band applies minimalist techniques to its countrified motorik-emo and essential reissues rescue El Wali's Sarahan desert jams and Patrick Cowley's synth rippers.

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Essential stories and videos from npr music

All Ears: Music That Maps A Personal History Of Place

Angela Hsieh for NPR

All Ears: Music That Maps A Personal History Of Place

The meaning of a place can change based on tiny shifts in perspective, by returning to a location after time away or by digging into the dirt underfoot. Can music bring these layers together?

The Fire This Time: Flying Lotus Seeks Rebirth After Mac Miller's Death

Tim Saccenti/Courtesy of the artist

The Fire This Time: Flying Lotus Seeks Rebirth After Mac Miller's Death

One inspiration behind Flamagra, the sixth album by the L.A. musician, was the wildfires in his hometown. It became another opportunity for the musician to reckon with ideas of death and rebirth.

2 Years After Route 91, Nashville's Artistic Community Is Still Learning How To Heal

Rafael Sarabia holds an American flag in tribute to those killed during the Route 91 Harvest Festival mass shooting on October 1, 2018 in Las Vegas. Ethan Miller/Getty Images hide caption

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Ethan Miller/Getty Images

2 Years After Route 91, Nashville's Artistic Community Is Still Learning How To Heal

"I think everyone got on their horse too fast," says trauma therapist Dr. Lee Norton of the many performers affected by the 2017 tragedy — but there's often no other choice for stage-bound artists.

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Erykah Badu: Tiny Desk Concert

More Than Keeping Time: A Melodic Drumming Demo

Jazz Night In America

A Melodic Drumming Demo

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All Songs 24/7

A mix of old favorites and new music from NPR's All Songs Considered.

The Current

New music and the music that inspired it, from local to legendary. From Minnesota Public Radio.

Eclectic24

KCRW's 24/7 music channel, curated by Morning Becomes Eclectic.

KEXP

Dedicated to music and discovery, from indie rock to Afropop.

opbmusic.org

Portland's mix of Pacific Northwest artists and the best new music.

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New York City's premier public radio music station.

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Philadelphia's top music source, and producer of World Cafe.

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I'll Take You There

Everything from early doo-wop to contemporary slow jams, hosted by Jason King.

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New York's world-renowned classical music station.

New Sounds

Weird and wonderful music from artists, composers and traditional musicians.

Classical MPR

Minnesota Public Radio's classical music channel.

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From the classics to today's best, spiced with blues, funk and Latin.

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The jazz source for more than 30 years, and co-presenter of Jazz Night In America.

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Hosted by Felix Contreras and Jasmine Garsd, NPR's Alt.Latino spins Latin rock, hip-hop and psychedelic cumbia.

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Folk Alley

Bringing you the best in folk music since 2003, presented by WKSU.

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A Celtic roots music channel, brought to you by The Thistle & Shamrock.

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All Songs Considered

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All Songs Considered

Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton spin new music from emerging bands and musical icons.

Alt.Latino

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Alt.Latino

Latino arts and culture explained with music and conversation, presented by Felix Contreras.

Fresh Air Interviews

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Fresh Air Interviews

Terry Gross interviews luminary artists about their lives and musical work

From the Top

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From The Top

NPR Music presents From The Top program highlights. For the complete From The Top program website, visit www.fromthetop.org.

Jazz Night In America

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NPR

Jazz Night

Jazz Night In America is a public radio program, a video concert documentary series, and an online home for the music, from NPR Music, WBGO and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Metropolis

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Metropolis

KCRW's Jason Bentley hosts a weekly spin of the best electronic, dance and beyond.

Mountain Stage

Mountain Stage

Live recordings from the award-winning public radio program, hosted by Larry Groce.

Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz

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Piano Jazz

Each week, NPR's award-winning program showcases both acclaimed artists and up-and-coming performers as they share music and memories.

The Thistle & Shamrock

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The Thistle & Shamrock

Award-winning radio host Fiona Ritchie explores evolving music from Celtic roots in Europe and North America.

World Cafe

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World Cafe

WXPN in Philadelphia and host Talia Schlanger present interviews and performances with today's essential and emerging artists.

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