BBC announces major music season - BBC Music: My Generation
BBC Music today announces a raft of exciting programming around BBC Music: My Generation, a year-long landmark season of programming across BBC TV, Radio and Online charting the history of pop music across the decades, from the mid-1950s to mid-1990s through the memories of the people who were there.
Published: 10 March 2016
The way you think and the way you feel is all about where you come from…Timing is very important. I was 15 when rock ‘n’ roll hit in 1955. Perfect!
BBC Music today announces a raft of exciting programming around BBC Music: My Generation, a year-long landmark season of programming across BBC TV, Radio and Online charting the history of pop music across the decades, from the mid-1950s to mid-1990s through the memories of the people who were there.
The season launches in April with a look at the decade of music from the mid-Fifties to mid-Sixties.
On BBC Two, music legend Sir Tom Jones presents Tom Jones’ 1950s: The Decade That Made Me (working title), a documentary about the decade that defined him and his music; BBC Radio 2 launches Radio 2 50s, a pop-up DAB service on air from Thursday 14 to Sunday 17 April, that will celebrate the music and culture of the 1950s featuring shows from Len Goodman, Marty Wilde, Chris Evans and his son Noah, and more. Friday 8 to Sunday 10 April, BBC Radio 6 Music looks at the alternative side of music from the Fifties with a range of programmes, including specials from Iggy Pop, Stuart Maconie and Richard Hawley. This is in addition to the previously announced People’s History Of Pop series on BBC Four with Sixties icon Twiggy presenting episode one. Also on BBC Four will be documentaries about Billy Fury and The Everly Brothers.
Over four special weekends across the year, pop stars and music fans alike will give their own perspectives in this major season of tailored programming and content across the BBC. The stars at the centre of the pop scene and the people who loved the music will celebrate a given decade, with BBC Two focusing on the musicians’ reminiscences of the time and BBC Four telling the stories of those years through the fans’ experiences and memories.
Bob Shennan, Controller of Radio 2 and Director of BBC Music, says: “Only the BBC can present such a diverse season of multiplatform programming looking at the decade where popular music began - the 1950s. Radio, television and online will be celebrating the musical decades with a huge range of programming that will satisfy music fans of all ages and tastes.”
Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor of BBC Four, says: “My Generation is a fabulous example of what the BBC can do: a year-long celebration of the power of popular music to shape the story of everyone’s lives - from the stars to ordinary people. Ranging across radio and television, with bold and innovative programming - including the BBC’s first ‘crowd-sourced’ television series and a new pop-up DAB service - this promises to be a treat for music fans of every age.”
Tom Jones’ 1950s: The Decade That Made Me (working title) on BBC Two is the first of four unique documentaries which will air on the channel across the year. Each will be fronted by a great musician looking back at the decade which defined them. The film is a chronicle of Sir Tom’s observational insights and his unique journey through the decade that formed him. It illuminates both him and the decade in which modern Britain began.
In an original, first-hand guide through his formative years as a child and teenager in South Wales in the 1950s, this documentary from BBC Music Television is set against the bigger picture of Britain during a decade that witnessed an explosion in popular culture and the sweeping aside of the old order. Television, the movies, the radio and, most importantly, the music of the first rock ‘n’ roll years, combine with contributions from other commentators and observers, to give an understanding and appreciation of the country, the era and the transformational decade that made him.
Tom takes viewers back to Treforest and Pontypridd - where he vividly recalls the social and musical culture of an insular post-war South Wales. If the Tom Jones of the 1960s became an international singing star, it was the 1950s that seeded that success. Writers and journalists Dame Joan Bakewell, Katherine Whitehorn and Michele Hanson talk of their similar memories and experiences of the Fifties in very different parts of the country, from very different families, and from very different class backgrounds.
Talking about his early years in the programme, Tom says: "My character was moulded by Pontypridd, because I was 24 years old by the time I left. In that time you will develop your character. The way you think and the way you feel is all about where you come from… Timing is very important. I was 15 when rock ‘n’ roll hit in 1955. Perfect! When I was performing in working mens' clubs in the Fifties, I wanted to give as much of myself as I possibly could. I didn't want to leave anything to chance. You know…'here I am, and here it is!’”
Although Tom's first quarter century was spent in a small mining community, his life in the Fifties reflects the lives of a gathering mass of the young struggling to be heard in a stuffy, old-fashioned Britain. Historians Alwyn Turner, Dr Martin Johnes, Tony Russell and Francis Beckett draw the social and political landscape of a rapidly changing decade, while Shadows guitarist Bruce Welch, drummer Clem Catinni, Fifties rock ‘n’ roll heart-throb Marty Wilde, and guitarist Tom McGuinness from Manfred Mann all talk of how that decade also changed their lives forever. The result is a heady mix of humour, reflection, confession and realisation – all brought to life with some unexpected gems from the archives with Tom Jones as our guide through what has been perhaps the most neglected, misunderstood and misrepresented decade of the 20th century.
Episode one of the previously announced four-part BBC Four series People's History Of Pop will be presented by Sixties fashion icon Twiggy (to be broadcast on Friday 15 April). The series charts the UK’s popular music heritage from the mid-1950s to the mid-1990s - over 40 years of incredible British music - through the eyes of music fans. Independently produced by 7Wonder, uniquely, the series is based on memorabilia and memories crowd-sourced since summer 2015 from music fans across the country. Episode one covers 1956-1966 and will be presented by the face of the 1960s, Twiggy. The programme will celebrate the decade in which we created our very own pop culture. It hears from skiffle players, fans of The Shadows, Liverpudlians who frequented the Cavern at the height of Merseybeat, Beatles devotees, dancers on Ready, Steady, Go!, mods, lovers of ska, bluebeat and Millie Small, and fans of The Rolling Stones.
Twiggy says: "I'm so excited to be taking part in the People's History of Pop and telling the story of all that pop music meant to us in the Fifties and Sixties. This series is seen through the eyes of music fans, from lovers of skiffle to rock 'n' roll, pop to ska, and rhythm and blues to folk… it's the precious music we all cherished, danced to and went giddy over. And music can evoke such strong memories. In fact, I can remember like it was yesterday, being one of those screaming girls at a Beatles concert. At age 13, I went with a friend to see them at Finsbury Park Astoria. My lovely Dad was going to pick us up afterwards, but at the end of the show we went to the stage door to try and see the group and so I wasn't where I said I would be, and Dad couldn't find us. He was frantic with worry but eventually found us and drove us safely home. It was a night I will never forget.”
Stories uncovered in episode one include a young Lonnie Donegan fan asking Lonnie back to his mate’s parents’ house so they could have an impromptu skiffle jam - and he said yes; what it was like to go to a recording of legendary music show Ready, Steady, Go!; and a schoolgirl's dream comes true when The Beatles turn up at the pub where her mum was a waitress - but will her mum drag her out of school to meet her heroes?
Unearthed pop treasures include a recording of John Lennon’s first-ever recorded performance with his band The Quarrymen, at a fete in Liverpool on the day he met Paul McCartney for the first time - which viewers will see Twiggy listening to at the legendary Abbey Road studios; rare acetates of Merseyside musicians recorded by Percy Phillips (who also first recorded The Quarrymen once Paul and George Harrison had joined) in his living room in Liverpool; and Please Please Me in stereo – from a very rare pressing uploaded by a contributor.
The producers have previously appealed to music fans around the UK to upload details about their most precious, personal and rarest music memorabilia to the series website at bbc.co.uk/peoplespop. Currently over 3,000 items - including photos, videos and audio of their artefacts and musical treasures and their stories about them - have been uploaded. Episode two will focus on the years 1966-1976, so the programme-makers would love to hear from people around the country who have treasured mementos from that time period - everything from early reggae memories to heavy metal, Northern Soul or glam. Simply visit the website to upload pictures and stories.
On BBC Four is a 90-minute film called Billy Fury: The Sound Of Fury (broadcast on Friday 22 April) which recounts the story of Billy Fury and the birth of British popular music. He became an overnight sensation in the 1950s and his first album, The Sound Of Fury (released in 1960), has become a landmark record in British rock ‘n’ roll history. Independently produced by A2B Media in association with 400 Television, this new film is shot entirely in HD with unique, unseen archive and photos. It highlights Fury’s contribution to popular music and the reason why Britain’s original teen idol had more Top 40 hits than The Beatles during the Sixties. It features exclusive home movie footage and interviews with Lord Puttnam, Mark Kermode, Amanda Barrie, Vince Eager, Imelda May, Ray Connolly, Spencer Leigh, Clem Cattini, Len Goodman, Boz Boorer, Billy’s mum Jean Wycherley, and many more.
Also on BBC Four is The Everly Brothers - Harmonies From Heaven (broadcast on Friday 22 April) with Don Everly himself telling their incredible story, giving viewers his own unique perspective on the brothers’ music, life and success. Don and Phil, arguably the greatest harmony singers of all time, began as childhood musicians performing hymns and country songs as part of The Everly Family on their father’s radio shows in Shenandoah, Iowa. Following their move to Nashville, the film looks at the important relationships they had with publishers Acuff-Rose, Archie Bleyer of influential label Cadence Records, and husband and wife writing team Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, who gave The Everly Brothers their first million-seller with Bye Bye Love.
Set to a backdrop of 1950’s Eisenhower-led America, the film examines this troubled and transformative era, the trials and triumphs of this remarkable brotherly pairing, and the innovations and lasting impact of a musically revolutionary duo. The film also features interviews with Don Everly, Art Garfunkel, Graham Nash, Bonnie Prince Billy, Dave Edmunds, Tim Rice, Jake Bugg, legendary guitarists Albert Lee and Waddy Wachtel, plus archive performances and home movie footage of the Everly Brothers in the recording studio. The film for BBC and Eagle Rock is produced by Nick de Grunwald and Celia Moore of 1515 Productions, and is directed by George Scott.
And BBC Four will be broadcasting classic film Rock Around The Clock, plus previous BBC programmes Rock ‘n’ Roll Britannia and the Rock ‘n’ Roll America series.
Programmes on Radio 2 50s pop-up DAB service will feature the music and performers from the decade that spawned popular music. Leo Green presents four Sounds Of The 50s programmes, made especially for this DAB service. Radio 2’s Don Black and Clare Teal introduce some of their favourite Fifties tracks; there will be special Fifties versions of the Radio 2 Folk show, Paul Jones’ Rhythm and Blues, Jamie Cullum’s Jazz Show and Bob Harris Country; plus Steve Wright 50s Love Songs , a Desmond Carrington 1950s special, and Huey Morgan runs down the Number One hits of the Fifties. Guest presenters include Fifties rock star Marty Wilde, Fifties-influenced Irish singer and musician Imelda May, actress Sheila Hancock, cabaret singer Gary Williams and Strictly judge Len Goodman.
And in a one-hour special called My Buddy & I: Chris And Noah Evans, Chris Evans and his son Noah share their love for the music of an artist that bridges generations, the brilliant Buddy Holly. The father and son team are bringing the time they spend travelling in the car together - accompanied by classic cassette tapes of the Fifties star - to the Radio 2 listeners. This DAB pop-up follows Radio 2 Eurovision in 2014 and 2015, Radio 2 Country in 2015 and March 2016, and BBC Music Jazz in 2015.
Chris Evans says: “Noah is so excited, especially as there'll be ‘no sport or travel’, ‘just us and Buddy’!”
Marty Wilde says: “The Fifties produced the most wonderful times for teenagers around the world, and I will remind everyone just how good it was for one exciting hour on Radio 2.”
Additional Radio 2 programming will include a special edition of Friday Night Is Music Night (Friday 8 April), the world’s longest-running live music show, which will celebrate the fabulous film scores of the Fifties. Recorded at the Hackney Empire and presented by Leo Green, movie music which will be featured includes Ben Hur, The Bridge On The River Kwai, Singing In The Rain and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
BBC Radio 6 Music will be celebrating the era with a number of programmes on Friday 8 to Sunday 10 April. On Friday, Iggy Pop (7-9pm) checks out the ‘vibe’ and what was happening in music in the 1950s with New York Times music critic Ben Ratliff. In a Sunday Special (1-2pm), featuring music and interviews from the archives is 'Little Richard In His Own Words'; Richard Hawley steps in for his friend and former bandmate Jarvis Cocker to present Rock ‘n’ Roll Sunday Service (4-6pm) where he’ll spin a Fifties-themed show. In Now Playing with Tom Robinson (6-8pm), the 6 Music audience will help him compile the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll playlist; and in the Freak Zone (8-10pm), Stuart Maconie will look at the more avant garde music from the 1950s. During the week, the network will be peppered with archive material and rock ‘n’ roll covers specially recorded for 6 Music, including Louie Louie by Robert Plant. Further programming will be announced nearer the time.
The second, third and fourth parts of The People’s History Of Pop and the BBC Two series will be broadcast in July, September and November 2016, with each episode spanning a subsequent decade. The presenters of these shows will be announced later this year.
The BBC Local Radio network aired a special People’s History Of Pop programme on Sunday 7 February (12pm to 3pm) encouraging listeners to phone in with their memories of gigs, songs and bands. At BBC Radio Sheffield, One Direction star Louis Tomlinson’s former psychology teacher at Hayfield School - Simon Cartlidge, from Doncaster - talked about how Louis flew him and his girlfriend to Madrid to watch him perform and took them out for a meal afterwards. BBC Radio Manchester celebrated 50 years of music – from the 1950s to the 1990s - with different presenters championing each decade, including Inspiral Carpets’ keyboard player, Clint Boon, for the Eighties. Some of the special guests interviewed included Johnny Marr from The Smiths and ‘Bonehead’ from Oasis.
Robert Elms broadcast his BBC Radio London show live from the Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes. Talking to many ex-employees and special guests, he heard from some of the 20,000-strong workforce who were responsible for pressing millions of singles and albums from the 1960s, and also had a tour around the EMI archive which houses many rare recordings, master-tapes and photos. There was live music from Turin Brakes, and Sir Peter Blake came on to talk about his album art work and memories of British pop music.
The People’s History Of Pop was ordered by Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four, and commissioned by Jan Younghusband, Head of Commissioning, Music TV. It is being made by 7Wonder, executive producer is Steve Condie, producer is Zoe Jewell. Emma Cahusac is executive producer for the BBC.
Billy Fury: The Sound Of Fury is an independent production from A2B Media in association with 400 Television. Executive producer is Alan Byron, and it is directed by Alan Byron and Mark Sloper.
The Everly Brothers - Harmonies From Heaven (BBC Four) commissioned by Jan Younghusband, Head of Commissioning, Music TV. Produced by Nick de Grunwald and Celia Moore and directed by George Scott for 1515 Productions/Eagle Rock Film Productions.
Tom Jones’ 1950s: The Decade That Made Me (working title) was commissioned for BBC Two by Jan Younghusband, Head of Commissioning, Music TV. BBC Executive producer is Mark Cooper, produced and directed by Chris Rodley.
Radio 2 50s was commissioned by Robert Gallacher, Commissioning Editor, BBC Radio 2.
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