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Dancing in the Street

In 1964, America was on the brink of a cultural revolution. The civil rights movement, portable music, the Vietnam War, the rise of black power and the lead-up to a dramatic election all foretold great changes here. In a new book, the writer Mark Kurlansky says that one song in particular emerged as an anthem for the country’s brand new beat: “Dancing in the Street,” by Martha and the Vandellas. Kurlansky joins us Monday to examine how that tune—and popular music more generally—has influenced social change.

GUEST

Mark Kurlansky is the New York Times-bestselling author of dozens of books, including Cod, Salt, and his newest, Ready for a Brand New Beat: How "Dancing in the Street" Became the Anthem for a Changing America [Amazon|Indiebound].

Doug Fabrizio has been reporting for KUER News since 1987, and became News Director in 1993. In 2001, he became host and executive producer of KUER's RadioWest, a one hour conversation/call-in show on KUER 90.1 in Salt Lake City. He has gained a reputation for his thoughtful style. He has interviewed everyone from Isabel Allende to the Dalai Lama, and from Madeleine Albright to Desmond Tutu. His interview skills landed him a spot as a guest host of the national NPR program, "Talk of the Nation." He has won numerous awards for his reporting and for his work with RadioWest and KUED's Utah NOW from such organizations as the Society of Professional Journalists, the Utah Broadcasters Association, the Public Radio News Directors Association and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.