A Wind To Shake The Stars: The Complete Unauthorized Oral History of the Star Wars Radio Audio Dramas

While it may be no more than a curiosity to younger fans of the saga with instant access to the entire Star Wars film and TV library on Disney Plus, back in the early 80’s when the only Star Wars film available on home video was A New Hope (and the only option to see the films on demand was via shaky pirate video), the Star Wars Radio Dramas were a huge deal. Blending members of the original cast with new voice actors, the radio dramas fleshed out the films we knew and loved so dearly, expanding on thoughts and ideas (often so well that many are convinced they remember sequences on film that were actually from the Radio Dramas) and giving us something fresh, unique and as much a part of the saga as anything before or since. Writers John and Mary Jo Tenuto wisely saw this fascinating chunk of Star Wars history as fertile ground upon which to develop a book – A Wind to Shake the Stars – and here’s a peek at what’s in store.

The phenomenal success of the creative scandal caused by the original 1981 Star Wars radio drama saved a struggling National Public Radio. The radio drama and its sequels would become staples on local NPR stations and bring a new audience to NPR. As it did in theaters, where George Lucas’s films redefined movie making, so, too, did NPR’s Star Wars transform the artistic world of radio drama. Everything from its revolutionary use of sound to its limited use of narration would become the standard for a new age of audio storytelling. Star Wars was, simply, the most ambitious radio drama ever produced.

A Wind to Shake the Stars tells the most comprehensive history of the Star Wars radio dramas ever produced. It is the story of how an unlikely alliance of academics, radio executives, Lucasfilm employees, actors, and behind-the-scenes artists banded together, despite the obstacles, to create a unique and consequential work spanning 40 years. It is also the inspiring story of how writer Brian Daley was the fulcrum, making it all possible.

Featuring new interviews with:

Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)

Ann Sachs (Princess Leia Organa)

Perry King (Han Solo)

Joshua Fardon (Luke Skywalker)

John Madden (Director)

Richard Toscan (Executive Producer and Story Editor)

Tom Voegeli (Sound Designer and Editor)

James Luceno (Star Wars Author)

Dan Madsen (The Official Star Wars Fan Club President and Publisher)

And many others

Fingers crossed we’ll be bringing you a review of the book in June, so stay tuned to the site (and of course to Fantha Tracks Radio and Making Tracks, where we’ll endeavour to chat with John, Mary Jo and others involved in these timeless radio classics) and click below to pre-order your copy now.