“Seven Ages of Rock,” a VH1 Classic co-production with the BBC, will make its U.S. debut on VH1 Classic Monday, December 17 and will air through Sunday, December 23 at 9:00 PM. Dennis Hopper narrates this 7-part series which showcases the various genres of rock music that impacted and shaped pop culture. Additionally, each episode will launch on VH1Classic.com simultaneously with its on-air premiere and will be archived for on-demand viewing. Also, watch music playlists for each age with videos from the featured artist only online.
From the birth of rock to metal to alternative rock – there is a genre for every music fan. This exclusive series will delve into what made each of these genres of music resonate with fans across the world.
Each of the seven episodes will take a deeper look into the individual ages of rock by evaluating the music itself -- breaking down key tracks, getting behind the songs and composing ideas, as well as looking into the social influences of the time and the social context that influenced the progression of the music. Throughout each episode viewers will hear from some of rock music’s biggest icons including Keith Richards, David Bowie, Roger Waters, Lou Reed, Ozzy Osbourne, James Hetfield, Deborah Harry, Gene Simmons, Damon Albarn, Stewart Copeland, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, Michael Stipe, Henry Rollins, Dave Grohl, Kim Deal, Noel Gallagher and many more.
Episode 1: “My Generation: The Birth of Rock” – Rock music emerges in the late 60’s as a fresh branch of rock ‘n’ roll. Becoming popular through artists like The Who, Cream, and The Rolling Stones, rock groups exemplified this era of protest through a tone of seriousness in their music. Premiering on Monday, December 17 at 9:00 PM.
Episode 2: “White Light, White Heat: Art Rock” – As rock music made a name for itself, upcoming rock artists began to experiment with their sounds. Groups including The Velvet Underground, David Bowie, Pink Floyd and Genesis were all a part of this innovative and varied sound. Premiering on Tuesday, December 18 at 9:00 PM.
Episode 3: “Blank Generation: Punk Rock” – Continuing with the evolution of the sound of rock, a genre of music emerged in the 1970s that can best be described as anti-establishment. Demonstrated by bands including The Sex Pistols, The Clash and Television, these artists created music that went hand-in-hand with the rebellion of youth, often containing lyrics that incorporated political outrage and a “do-it-yourself” attitude. Premiering on Wednesday, December 19 at 9:00 PM.
Episode 4: “Never Say Die: Heavy Metal” – A new sound that emerged from the UK, heavy metal conveyed an intense and powerful resonance. Artists like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest paved the way by establishing the heavy sound while artists like Metallica and Motley Crue added their own rock ’n’ roll twist. Premiering on Thursday, December 20 at 9:00 PM.
Episode 5: “We Are The Champions: Stadium Rock” – Rock music became more dominant in mainstream pop culture in the 80s allowing artists such as Queen, The Police, Bruce Springsteen, and U2 to sell out stadium-sized venues. Premiering on Friday, December 21 at 9:00 PM.
Episode 6: “Left of the Dial: American Alternative” – Influenced by punk, bands including Nirvana, REM, Sonic Youth, and Pearl Jam shunned the traditions of the music industry and signed with independent record labels. Despite their deviance from traditional mainstream success, many alternative bands became commercially successful. Premiering on Saturday, December 22 at 9:00 PM.
Episode 7: “What the World is Waiting For: British Indie” – Growing out of the UK punk scene, bands such as The Smiths, Oasis, and the Stone Roses possessed an independent spirit that embraced their artistic power and financial control. These groups created music that provided a strong and sometimes arrogant counterpoint to the pop sounds dominating the charts. Premiering on Sunday, December 23 at 9:00 PM.
Source: www.pluginmusic.com
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