By host Tom Ashbrook:

Pop music critic Karen Shoemer was a postpunk, indie rock kid who had never thought twice about Patti Page, Pat Boone, Connie Francis, Fabian, Frankie Lane — the demigods of the sugar-sweet 1950 teen pop music that her parents grew up on.

Then, one day, she desperately needed to understand her parents’ first love. And that music seemed like it might be the only way.

So in she went — to “Teenage Crush” and “Where the Boys Are,” “Turn Me Loose” and “Mule Train” — the 50s world that rock crushed. Now she’s back with the music, and her story.

Hear author Karen Shoemer, artists Patti Page and Fabian and hot new star Nellie McKai talk about the music of the 50s.

Guests:

Karen Schoemer, author of” “Great Pretenders: My Strange Love Affair with ’50s Pop Music”

Patti Page, 50s and 60s recording superstar, her 1950 hit “Tennessee Waltz” was #1on the charts for 13 weeks

Fabian, 50s teen idol, his many hits include “Turn Me Loose” and “Tige.r”