Ann Powers

NPR music critic, author of ”Good Booty: Love and Sex, Black and White, Body and Soul in American Music”

Guest

Ann Powers is NPR Music's critic and correspondent. She writes for NPR's music news blog, The Record, and she can be heard on NPR's newsmagazines and music programs.

One of the nation's most notable music critics, Powers has been writing for The Record, NPR's blog about finding, making, buying, sharing and talking about music, since April 2011.

Powers served as chief pop music critic at the Los Angeles Times from 2006 until she joined NPR. Prior to the Los Angeles Times, she was senior critic at Blenderand senior curator at Experience Music Project. From 1997 to 2001 Powers was a pop critic at The New York Times and before that worked as a senior editor at theVillage Voice. Powers began her career working as an editor and columnist at San Francisco Weekly.

Her writing extends beyond blogs, magazines and newspapers. Powers co-wrote Tori Amos: Piece By Piece,with Amos, which was published in 2005. In 1999, Power's book Weird Like Us: My Bohemian America was published. She was the editor, with Evelyn McDonnell, of the 1995 book Rock She Wrote: Women Write About Rock, Rap, and Pop and the editor ofBest Music Writing 2010.

Ann Powers on KCRW

Ten years ago today, pop superstar Michael Jackson died at age 50. It was a shocking event that took over the news, and vigils popped up instantly worldwide.

On 10th anniversary of Michael Jackson's death, can we listen to his music with a clear conscience?

Ten years ago today, pop superstar Michael Jackson died at age 50. It was a shocking event that took over the news, and vigils popped up instantly worldwide.

from Greater LA

On Monday night at the MTV Video Music Awards, Madonna was asked to pay tribute to Aretha Franklin. But then she launched into a long story about her early days as a struggling artist.

Madonna at the VMAs: Did she pay tribute to Aretha Franklin or herself?

On Monday night at the MTV Video Music Awards, Madonna was asked to pay tribute to Aretha Franklin. But then she launched into a long story about her early days as a struggling artist.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Eroticism has always been a driving force in American popular music.

'Good Booty:' A book about music, love, sex and religion

Eroticism has always been a driving force in American popular music.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

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