TV series
A 17-part television documentary series on the history of modern pop music covering some of the many different genres that have fallen under the label of "popular music" between the mid-19th century and 1976, including folk, ragtime, Tin Pan Alley, vaudeville and music hall, musical theatre, country, swing, jazz, blues, R&B, rock 'n' roll and others.
1 season · 17 episodes
Introductory Programme
Feb 12, 197755 min
God's Children
Feb 19, 197755 min
It is generally assumed that American popular music comes from the coastal regions of Africa; that the slaves brought drums to the United States; that jazz originated, somehow, in New Orleans; that the blues developed in the Mississippi Del
I Can Hypnotise 'Dis Nation (Ragtime)
Feb 26, 197755 min
Thanks to the hit movie, “The Sting”, everyone reckons they know about Ragtime. But do they? This Episode includes the oldest known piece of film (1898) showing what the cakewalk was really like. Also extracts from The Royal Ballet produc
Jungle Music (Jazz)
Mar 5, 197755 min
This episode takes a look at the origins of jazz and challenges the theories that it is a black music form which was created in New Orleans. Featuring contributions and footage from Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Charlie Mingus and Louis Arms
Who's That Comin'? (The Blues)
Mar 12, 197755 min
Exploring the origins of the blues, with contributions and performance recordings by Memphis Slim, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Billie Holiday and BB King.
Rude Songs (Vaudeville and Music Hall)
Mar 19, 197755 min
The history of suggestive songs and their vaudeville and music hall beginnings, with artists featured including Judy Garland, Liberace, Mae West, Edith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich.
