Something for the UK contributors to this forum...

On Saturday 19th May on BBC2, there is a programme called 'Seven ages of rock', about 7 different eras in rock history. The BBC have been running polls to find out which era is the most popular/best. The programme will run for 7 'episodes'. I've included some of the bands they're talking about to illustrate the style of music they associate with each category.

1) The Birth of rock
Hendrix, Rolling Stones, The Who etc

2) Art Rock
Bowie, Pink Floyd, Velvet Underground, Roxy Music etc

3) Punk Rock
70s era stuff - mainly Sex Pistols. Lots of Malcolm McClaren.

4) Heavy Metal
Sabbath, Metallica etc

5) Stadium Rock
I've only seen Bruce Springsteen mentioned.

6) American Alternative rock
Nirvana and um...haven't seen any other names yet.

7) British Indie rock
Pulp, Oasis, Blur etc

Any thoughts?

Is BBC America showing it?

I really don't know. Being from the UK and not having digital/satelite/cable TV, I don't receive BBC America, just basic terrestrial TV (all 5 channels of it).

The programme looks interesting though and may well feature interviews with Keith Richards and Lemmy from Motorhead (who was a roadie for Jimi Hendrix).

Hm. I'd have to see. Sounds fun though.

Hope it ends up on youtube. I love BBC music docos for the most part.

Everything ends up on youtube...

Welll they played the first episode on Saturday and it was quite good.

Largely based on the career of Jimi Hendrix, but a great insight into the cultural impact of the whole thing. I realised how carefully Hendrix considered every cover version. He also ripped the Who off in a big way.

It was strangely educational, but you respected Hendrix a little more by the end.

quote:

Originally posted by Duncan Black:
He also ripped the Who off in a big way.

how so?

Smashing guitars up, going mental on stage - the whole 'rock' sound. According to the programme, Hendrix saw the Who live and incorporated it into his act.

I've seen 2 more episodes.

The art rock programme featured Velvet Underground, 'Gabriel era' Genesis, Pink Floyd, David Bowie and Roxy Music. It was pretty good. Lots of interviews with Gilmour, Waters and Mason (explaining concepts behind 'The Wall')

In the punk one, they started with The Ramones and moved onto Television, The Sex Pistols, The Buzzcocks and the Clash. They went on to explain how punk morphed into experimental music and played an early TV performance by PIL (featuring Jah Wobble on bass. Sadly, I've never seen any footage with Steve Vai but I live in hope).

Has ANYONE else been following this, or am I the only person from the UK?

The next programme will concentrate on heavy metal.

I'm watching it on YouTube...it's excellent.

Hah, ish. Signal okay?

Checked back again today, and the lot have been removed!!

Bloody intellectual property fears...

yeah I'm watching it. I'll watch every episode but, predictably, I have my gripes with it. The concept of dividing Rock into 7 'ages', and THESE 7 'ages', is a bit baffling really. And there's so much they miss out - ie on the Metal programme they didn't even mention AC/DC or Van Halen or GnR or several other important bands.

For those folk like myself who have been thwarted in their attempts to watch this show, I would like to tell you that BBC 6 radio are playing highlights (plus interviews aired on the tv show) on their website.

Just go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/index.shtml?logo and then click on the BBC radio player down in the bottom right hand corner.

On top of the 7 ages show, BBC6 has heaps of great music docos.