Rock 'n' Roll Britannia
Documentary about the pre-Beatles rock era, when the likes of Lord Rockingham's XI, Vince Taylor and Cliff Richard and The Shadows created a unique copy of American rock 'n' roll.
Long before the Beatles there was British rock 'n' roll. Between 1956 and 1960 British youth created a unique copy of a distant and scarce American original whilst most parents, professional jazz men and even the BBC did their level best to snuff it out.
From its first faltering steps as a facsimile of Bill Haley's swing style to the sophistication of self-penned landmarks such as Shakin' All Over and The Sound of Fury, this is the story of how the likes of Lord Rockingham's XI, Vince Taylor and Cliff Richard and The Shadows laid the foundations for an enduring 50-year culture of rock 'n' roll.
Now well into their seventies, the flame still burns strong in the hearts of the original young ones. Featuring Sir Cliff Richard, Marty Wilde, Joe Brown, Bruce Welch, Cherry Wainer and The Quarrymen.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
You are at the first episode
![]()
BBC Music: My Generation
Programmes, playlists and features charting the history of pop music across the decades.
Clip
![]()
Tools for aspiring rockers
Duration: 02:47
Music Played
![]()
Bill Haley and His Comets
Rock Around The Clock
![]()
Lonnie Donegan
Rock Island Line
![]()
The John Fox Symphonic Orchestra
Edward Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance No 4
![]()
The Shadows
F.B.I
![]()
John Alldis, London Philharmonic Choir
Zadok The Priest
![]()
The Shadows
F.B.I
![]()
Vince Taylor, The Playboys
Brand New Cadillac
![]()
Johnny Kidd and the Pirates
Shakin' All Over
![]()
Johnny Kidd and the Pirates
Shakin All Over
![]()
Cliff Richard
The Young Ones (Film Version)
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Executive Producer | Mark Cooper |
| Producer | Ben Whalley |
| Director | Ben Whalley |
Broadcasts
- Fri 17 May 201321:00
- Sat 18 May 201300:30
- Sun 19 May 201323:00
- Fri 27 Sep 201321:00
- Mon 30 Sep 201301:25
- Sat 2 Nov 201322:45
- Sat 4 Jan 201423:00
- Sat 8 Feb 201401:25
- Fri 16 May 201423:00
- Sat 17 May 201402:55
- Mon 19 May 201400:30
- Fri 1 Aug 201423:15
- Sat 2 Aug 201402:15
- Mon 4 Aug 201402:30
- Sun 21 Dec 201401:10
- Sat 10 Jan 201522:50
- Sat 11 Apr 201523:45
- Christmas Eve 201501:30
- Fri 15 Apr 201622:00
- Sat 16 Apr 201602:00
- Fri 16 Sep 201623:30
- Mon 19 Sep 201601:30
- Sat 10 Feb 201800:05
- Fri 12 Apr 201922:55
- Fri 4 Oct 201920:00
- Sat 5 Oct 201900:25
- Sat 22 Feb 202000:25
- Fri 16 Oct 202022:50
- Sat 17 Oct 202002:20
- Sat 18 Jun 202200:15
Featured in...
![]()
Rock & Indie
Rock out with the best Rock and Indie content the BBC has to offer.
![]()
Music Documentaries
For music lovers, uncover the stories in this collection that explore all things music.
![]()
My Generation
Charting the history of pop music across the decades starting with the mid-50s to mid-60s
![]()
Music Stories
Get the inside track on some of music's most influential songs, albums and personalities.
