That's intriguing. I recently heard (and commented here [0] on) the Bowie interview, which I thought was great, and revelatory. Prior to hearing that interview, I wouldn't have believed someone if they told me Bowie would have preferred not to perform live: "Frankly, if I could get away with not having to perform, I'd be very happy."

I am pretty sure provoking small but significant revelations like that are what radio interviews are really good for. A talent for bringing those about, or simply allowing them to come about, is also why Howard Stern is regarded highly as an interviewer, I believe, although the two interviewers use very different techniques. Coincidentally, Gross's interview with Stern was pretty interesting. [1]

[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37629932

[1] https://www.npr.org/transcripts/722832463