More than 25 years ago, retired music executive Joe Smith accomplished a Herculean feat -- he got more than 200 celebrated singers, musicians and industry icons to talk about their lives, music, experiences and contemporaries. In 2012 Smith donated this treasure trove of unedited sound recordings to the nation's library.

Off the record interview with Woody Herman, [1986-1988?]-06-17

Woody Herman

Off the record interview with Barry White, 1987-04-03

Barry White

Off the record interview with Milt Gabler, [1986-1988?]-06-09

Milt Gabler

Off the record interview with Stan Getz, 1986-08-07

Stan Getz

Off the record interview with Linda Ronstadt, 1986-04-23

Linda Ronstadt

Off the record interview with Ray Charles, 1987-06-03

Ray Charles

Off the record interview with Randy Newman, [1986-1988?]-04-15

Randy Newman

Off the record interview with Yoko Ono, 1987-10-07

Yoko Ono

Off the record interview with Smokey Robinson, 1988-02-05

Smokey Robinson

Off the record interview with Paul McCartney, 1987-10-22