There are many variables that determine what makes an artist or band “essential” — longevity, impact, influence, history, discography — and WFUV takes a deeper look with FUV Essentials. On-air and online, we celebrate musicians who have shaped our cultural soundtrack. Let’s love these artists while they’re here, and honor those who have departed too soon.
On what would have been George Harrison's 77th birthday on February 25, 2020, WFUV honors this spiritual man and his music, both solo and with the Beatles.
George Harrison (Original photo courtesy of AP Photo/Bob Grieser)
There has already been a Regina Spektor Day in New York City, and she's been honored on the Bronx Walk of Fame, but on her 40th birthday, WFUV is saluting this innovative singer, songwriter and pianist as one of our FUV Essentials.
Regina Spektor (original photo by Shervin Lainez, PR)
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Pretenders' landmark debut album and Chrissie Hynde and Martin Chambers will be together again, touring with the 2020 lineup of the band with Journey this spring and summer throughout North America. We're celebrating the band (and Hynde as a solo artist) as an FUV Essentials again.
The Pretenders (photo by Joel Ryan/AP)
Directors, music supervisors, composers, and film editors all know the pure magic that a perfect song or score brings to a scene, elevating it from
FUV Essentials: Soundtracks and Scores (collage by Laura Fedele, WFUV)
Take a song that's powered by electric guitars and synths and break it down to its acoustic heart — that's what was so fascinating about "MTV Unplu
Unplugged Essentials (original photo by Gus Philippas)
Had he lived, Tom Petty would have turned 69 on October 20 of this year. As Damn the Torpedoes turns 40 in October 2019 (and Full Moon Fever marked its 30th anniversary this past spring), we're saluting Petty as an FUV Essentials.
Tom Petty (Original photo by Takahiro Kyono from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
[October 2019 update: The death of Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker
Steely Dan's Donald Fagen and the late Walter Becker (photo by Danny Clinch, PR)
For their exploration, chutzpah, honesty, and for their ability to be dark, weird, and happily hooky at the same time, Wilco is and shall remain an FUV Essentials artist. The band's new album, Ode to Joy, is out now.
Wilco (photo by Zoran Orlic, PR)
As an FUV Essentials artist, Sheryl Crow symbolizes not only great pop and rock songwriting, but the genuine power of a true activist.
Sheryl Crow (photo courtesy of the artist, PR)
[September 2019 update: It's hard to believe that Bruce Springsteen is 70 years old on September 23 — but age is
Bruce Springsteen (photo by Betsy Whitney, PR)
