ROCK & ROLL: SHAKESPEARES IN THE ALLEY {EPISODE 3} (TV)
Summary
Episode three of this ten-part documentary miniseries which traces the origins and history of rock and roll music from the late 1940s to the present. Interviews with artists and record executives, and performance footage are included throughout the program. In the third episode, "Shakespeares in the Alley," the era of folk/protest music is examined. Events covered in this part include: a radio interview from 1966 with Bob Dylan; Dylan's early days singing folk music in Greenwich Village coffee shops where he first began attracting a small following; the impact of Peter, Paul & Mary, who did a cover version of Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind," on folk music's increasing popularity and success; folk music's anti-politics-as-usual message; how guitarist Lonnie Donegan fused folk music with jazz to create the skiffle sound in London; Donegan's tremendous influence on the formation of the Beatles; how the film "A Hard Day's Night" inspired many fledgling musicians, including the Byrds; Dylan's song "Mr. Tamborine Man," which became a hit for the Byrds; Dylan's frustration at the response of audiences in London and his recording "Like a Rolling Stone"; how Dylan made a return to touring in 1966 and was booed off the stage at the Newport Folk Festival; how he employed a backup band, which would become known as The Band, and how he created unique sounds that often alienated audiences; the influence of Dylan's music, as well as his lifestyle and use of marijuana, on the Beatles; and the Beatles' decision to quit touring, claiming they could no longer experiment with musical styles while on stage. Includes interviews with the following individuals, among others: folk singer Peter Yarrow recalls seeing Bob Dylan perform at a coffee shop in Greenwich Village; poet Allen Ginsberg comments on the anti-establishment political message of folk music; guitarist Lonnie Donegan talks about his career and his influence; producer George Martin reminisces about the Beatles; journalist Al Aronwitz discusses the Beatles' visit to America; musicians Roger McGuinn and David Crosby talk about their band, the Byrds; and session organ player Al Kooper recalls recording "Like a Rolling Stone."
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: September 25, 1995 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:56:45
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:43063
- GENRE: Arts documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Arts documentaries; Folk music; Music - Analysis, appreciation; Rock music
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV, 1995
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Elizabeth Deane … Executive Producer
- David Espar … Senior Producer
- Hugh Thomson … Producer
- Vicky Bippart … Producer, Director, Writer
- Daniel McCabe … Producer, Director, Writer
- Cathleen O'Connell … Associate Producer
- Liev Schreiber … Narrator
- Roger McGuinn … Performer, Guest
- Peter Yarrow … Guest
- Joan Baez … Guest
- Allen Ginsberg … Guest
- Lonnie Donegan … Guest
- George Martin … Guest
- Derek Taylor … Guest
- Al Aronowitz … Guest
- David Crosby … Guest
- Joe Boyd … Guest
- Al Kooper … Guest
- Sonny Bono … Guest
- Robbie Robertson … Guest
- The Beatles
- The Byrds
- Bob Dylan
- Peter, Paul & Mary