WFUV Essential Artists

Longevity, impact, influence, history: we celebrate the musicians who have shaped our cultural soundtrack.

Talking Heads (PR photo, Sire Records)

David Byrne and Talking Heads

August 08, 2016|Kara Manning
New York's envoys of its golden age of art punk, no wave, new wave and post punk. [Playlist]
Read More
Ramones: C.J., Marky, Joey, Johnny (PR photo Radioactive by Michael Halsband)

Ramones

July 18, 2016|Eric Holland
Part of the DNA of New York, and American music, too. [Playlist]
Read More
Joni Mitchell (Original photo: Asylum Records [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)

Joni Mitchell

July 11, 2016|Kara Manning
Virtually every profile of an emerging female songwriter inevitably includes a comparison to her. [Playlist]
Read More
Prince (illustration by Andy Friedman)

Prince

June 06, 2016|Kara Manning
The word "genius" is a frequently abused superlative. Not here. [Playlist]
Read More
Bob Marley (image in the public domain)

Bob Marley

May 30, 2016|Darren DeVivo
His music and message remain as vibrant as ever. [Playlist]
Read More
Bob Dylan (illustration by Andy Friedman)

Bob Dylan

May 23, 2016|Kara Manning
"What do you do for a living, man?" "Oh, I confound expectations." [Playlist]
Read More
(Original photo by Graham McIndoe / PR)

The National

May 16, 2016|Kara Manning
Avatars of the present and future of rock music. [Playlist]
Read More
Stevie Wonder (original photo PR/1985)

Stevie Wonder

May 09, 2016|Kara Manning
From child prodigy to elder statesman of American pop, soul, R&B, jazz and funk. [Playlist]
Read More
Bonnie Raitt (photo by Marina Chavez)

Bonnie Raitt

April 04, 2016|Kara Manning
A master guitarist and an indomitable force. [Playlist]
Read More