The Organist
Episode 50: The Happiest Accidents
A masterclass in the art of the interview with the late giant of the field, Studs Terkel, in which Terkel spars with Muhammad Ali, arm-wrestles Zero Mostel, and performs guerilla street theater with Saul Alinsky.
By Andrew Leland • • 16m ListenThe legendary polymath broadcaster Studs Terkel hosted a radio show on Chicago's WFMT for 45-years, interviewing an astonishing range of artists, thinkers, workers, and activists. The writer and publisher (and prolific interviewer in his own right) JC Gabel dips into Terkel's massive archive to highlight three moments where Terkel stumbles sidelong into moments of sublime illumination, including arm-wrestling with Zero Mostel, sparring with Muhammad Ali, and impromptu guerrilla street theater with the organizer Saul Alinsky.
Produced by JC Gabel and edited by Nick White.
Photo courtesy WFMT and the Studs Terkel Radio Archive