Evelyn McDonnell

In this episode: He called himself “Doc Pomus,” and he wrote some of the most iconic songs of the 1950s and '60s; songs like “Viva Las Vegas,” “Save the Last Dance for Me” and “This Magic Moment.” But a recent documentary called "AKA Doc Pomus” aims to share the story of the man behind the hits -- a disabled Brooklyn songwriter who succeeded in the music industry against all odds. We talk with one of the film’s directors, Peter Miller, as well as Doc Pomus's daughter and the film’s producer, Sharyn Felder.

Then: The Runaways were an all-girl rock group that formed in L.A. in 1975, turned heads in New York at CBGBs, became stars in Japan -- and then crashed and burned after four short years. Now, the music writer Evelyn McDonnell has released a book called Queens of Noise: The Real Story of the Runaways. She joins us to discuss the lasting legacy of the short-lived but influential band.

And: For many, Kristeen Young first made a splash in a performance with Morrissey on the Late Show with David Letterman in 2007, wearing a handcrafted yet futuristic "bubble dress" that could rival anything in Lady Gaga's wardrobe. But it was her soaring voice and beguiling stage presence that actually managed to steal a little spotlight from Moz himself. Produced by frequent Bowie collaborator Tony Visconti, Young's latest album, The Knife Shift, is an intense collection of bold rockers propelled by the furious drumming skills of Dave Grohl.

This is an encore episode of Soundcheck. 

In this episode: Documentary filmmaker Adam Curtis and Robert Del Naja, of electronic act Massive Attack, discuss their unsettling collaboration underway at the Park Avenue Armory.

Music writer Evelyn McDonnell talks about her new biography, Queens of Noise: The Real Story of the Runaways, about the influential 1970's punk band that sparked the careers of Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, Lita Ford and others.

And Tired Pony, the supergroup featuring members of R.E.M., Snow Patrol, The Minus 5, and Belle And Sebastian, perform live in the Soundcheck studio.