Let the Good Times Roll

Strolling along L.A.'s Central Avenue in the 1940s was a sensory treat -- from the cool blues of Charles Brown seeping from the Downbeat, to Roy Milton shaking tables and Joe Liggins tickling the ivories all over town. Central Ave., therefore, is an appropriate place for this 26-part celebration of R&B music to begin, with soul singer Jerry "The Iceman" Butler guiding listeners through the origins and many incarnations -- from street corner doo-wop to the boogie-woogie beat -- of a genre that has kept America groovin' for decades. Butler also profiles the legendary artists who continue to influence music here and around the world, including Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Marvin Gaye, Muddy Waters, Etta James and Aretha Franklin (pictured).

-- Anna Christopher

Saturdays at 11 p.m. beginning July 3

Applause Online Extra: See what Let the Good Times Roll has in store each Saturday evening with this index of all 26 installments.

A Note to Listeners: Beginning Monday, July 5, a rebroadcast of Radio Times will air weeknights at 11 p.m. Living on Earth will return to the schedule in August with new episodes.