Maroon 5 kicks off new NPR Music series today

Chart-topping and critically-acclaimed musicians talk about the recordings they consider essential listening in “You Must Hear This” – a new series launching today on NPR’s afternoon newsmagazine All Things Considered in collaboration with NPR Music. From Maroon 5 to satirical songwriter “Weird Al” Yankovic, “You Must Hear This” features artists of all genres sharing the music that influences their own work, and what makes a true classic.

Pop band Maroon 5 kicks off the series today. Frontman Adam Levine and keyboardist Jesse Carmichael tell how the Prince and the Revolution album Purple Rain blew their young minds when they heard it, and how they incorporate its spirit into their own genre-mixing songs. The story will air almost 25 years to the day the highly influential work and soundtrack to the movie of same name was first released.

Other artists – and their sometimes surprising musical choices – that will be featured on the series in the coming weeks include party rocker Andrew W.K.’s celebration of Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, country star Ricky Skaggs’ appreciation of the bluegrass icon Bill Monroe and LGBT-identified rock band The Cliks’ admiration for Jeff Buckley’s Grace. Listen for the series to air occasionally on All Things Considered. All of the “You Must Hear This” pieces will also be archived online at NPR Music in the You Must Hear This section, which presents hundreds of multi-genre music recommendations and playlists.

All Things Considered, NPR's signature afternoon newsmagazine, is hosted by Melissa Block, Michele Norris and Robert Siegel and reaches more than 13 million listeners weekly. To find local stations and broadcast times, visit http://www.npr.org/