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Johnny Carson came into America's homes as host of the Tonight Show for 30 extraordinary years. He was one of the most-watched, most cherished personalities ever to light up the screen. But as familiar as Johnny was to millions of people, he was also an extremely private man, not comfortable with the limelight beyond the confines of his talk show desk. He rarely gave interviews, but on September 12, 1983, he sat with NBC's Bryant Gumbel for an extended and revealing conversation. Excerpts appeared on the Today show, but the complete interview has never been seen until now.

David Letterman spent the first fourteen years of his remarkable career at NBC. Throughout that time, he periodically spoke with NBC News about his comedy and his career. Here, collected for the first time, are the best of Dave's conversations with the likes of Tom Snyder, Jane Pauley, Jack Perkins and Tom Brokaw. They range from a 1978 interview with Snyder when Letterman was just 31, still playing clubs and looking for his big break, to a 1993 encounter with Brokaw, who took Dave fly fishing in Central Park! Some rare and fascinating insights into a famously private man.

Tony Bennett has become a legend interpreting the great American songbook. But the singer is also a great interview subject, and over the years he's granted a series of in-depth interviews to NBC News. Here are highlights from the best of them, drawn from two decades of conversations. A fascinating and revealing look at one of the great performers of our time, in his own words.

Judy Garland lived a life in the spotlight, from the movies of her youth to the concert stages of her later years. She remained an electrifying performer even as her troubled personal life took its toll. In 1967, two years before her death at age 47, she spoke at length with Barbara Walters of the Today show. Here is that interview, seen here for the first time in many years - a candid and revealing look at a life on stage. Also heard from are Judy's childhood friend and co-star Mickey Rooney, and daughter Liza Minelli, talking about her mother with Barbara Walters in 1973.

Ray Charles was an American original -- making music that moved audiences and defied categories for more than half a century, right up until his death in 2004. Here the Genius of Soul talks with NBC's Rona Elliott in 1986, a rare in-depth discussion about a remakable life in music, seen here in its entirety for the first time. Also included is a joint interview with Ray and his #1 fan Joe Cocker, from 1987.

Johnny Cash was a true legend of American music, and his relationship with wife June Carter Cash was a classic love story immortalized in the hit movie "Walk the Line." Here are Johnny and June together in a revealing 1990 conversation with NBC's Garrick Utley, never before seen in its entirety. They talk openly about their music, their legacy and Johnny's long struggle with substance abuse. Also included: Johnny Cash in a 1988 Today show interview with Cash fan Jane Pauley.

1987 was U2's breakout year ? the year of multi-platinum success with "The Joshua Tree," and superstardom. On September 11, 1987, before playing to a capacity crowd at New York's Nassau Coliseum, all four members of U2 sat down with NBC's Rona Elliott for a rare, extended on-camera interview. Brief excerpts of this interview were shown on the Today show, but the full interview has never been available anywhere ? until now. Bonus: Bono & The Edge with Tom Snyder on NBC's Tomorrow show, June 3, 1981 ? their first appearance on American television.

Madonna has been an international star for decades now, reinventing herself many times over, always finding an eager audience. Back in 1987, at the height of her early fame, she spoke at length with NBC's Jane Pauley. Parts of this fascinating interview were shown on the Today show in 1987, but it has never been seen in its entirety until now. Also included is Matt Lauer's conversation with a very different Madonna in 1997.

When he was onstage with the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia let his music do the talking. But here is a Deadhead's dream: a rare, extended conversation with Garcia and NBC's Rona Elliott from 1987, the year the Dead released "In the Dark." It's Garcia at his best: smart, funny, engaging and enthusiastic. Drummer Mickey Hart joins in halfway through the interview. Also included here: Garcia on the Today show in 1981, talking with Gene Shalit.

The Rolling Stones have been rocking for decades now, but they've rarely sat still long enough to do an extended television interview. Here's a notable exception: Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in a candid conversation with Today's Matt Lauer, at the beginning of the Stones' 2005-2006 world tour. Mick and Keith talk about their music, their enduring relationship, and the future of the band. Also included: vintage conversations with Mick and Keith, and a few moments with all four Rolling Stones -- together!