Rock & Roll (TV series)

Rock & Roll was a ten-part British television series broadcast on BBC2 in 1995. It chronicled the history of rock and roll music from its origins in blues, gospel, and country music to the mid-1990s. The series was produced by BBC Television and directed by various directors across the ten episodes.

Each episode focused on a different era or aspect of rock and roll, featuring archival footage, interviews with prominent musicians, and commentary from music historians and cultural critics. Key themes explored included the social and cultural impact of rock music, its relationship to youth culture, and the evolution of its various subgenres. The series aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the genre, highlighting both its musical innovations and its historical significance.

The Rock & Roll series was accompanied by a book of the same name, written by series producer and writer, David Sanjek. The book expanded on the themes explored in the television series, providing further detail and analysis.

While praised for its scope and ambition, the series also received some criticism for its selectivity and omissions, reflecting the subjective nature of defining and documenting such a broad and influential musical genre. Despite this, Rock & Roll remains a significant documentary resource for understanding the history of rock and roll.