Legends at 90

Two remarkable gentleman have turned 90 this year. Both are recording artists, both are longtime radio hosts. Both are legends.

OSCAR BRAND. Folk music legend Oscar Brand turned 90 in February. He has written more than 300 songs, recorded 90 albums, composed for broadway and film, is a musicologist, playwright, best-selling author, and teacher. Brand is also a founder and curator of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Brand has hosted the "Folksong Festival" program for 65 years, an incredible run that has put him in the Guinness Book of World Records. The show has made him one of the most beloved figures in folk music in North America. February 7th, it was Oscar Brand's 90th birthday. He joined Michael Wright of the CBC Radio program "The Sunday Edition" from their New York studio.

Enjoy the interview here. Oscar Brand appears in the intro and then the interview begins at 9 minutes.

KEN NORDINE. Beat jazz voice legend Ken Nordine reached his own 90th birthday milestone on April 13th. The man behind the Word Jazz albums and radio program and countless commercials, he has an unmistakable, instantly recognizable voice. Nordine has been a radio personality since the 1940s and a recording artist and distinctive voiceover artist since the 1950s.

WBEZ’s Steve Edwards visited Ken Nordine's studio to speak with him about his life and career. Enjoy the video here and download an audio excerpt here with segments not in the video, such as how his mother's religion led him to performing in radio.

These men are actively recording and performing and have lost none of their relevance and charm. You will want to add their radio shows to your regular listening. Brand and Nordine are still at the top of their game. All the better for us!

Happy Birthday!