BeebRock II - Music Shows on BBC Four, Sky Arts and everywhere else

Hello, this weekend sees the start of a new series on BBC4 which is very vaguely themed about the people behind the scenes of the music business. The people who made this already did a similar programme about Music Moguls and it's hard to see how three hours of this won't include a whole lot of filler. I'd prefer to see some new shows about specific bands or genres, but BBC4's commissioning is tending towards generic fluff at the moment, alas.

Elsewhere, that splendid Marshall Amps Doc is back, but there an evening of Neil Sed**a shows which will bring a chill to anyone who sat through them the first time. Possibly the worst shows ever to be shown on BBC4. Although it's all subjective, if that's your thing you are in luck ...





Thursday
Midnight: Play It Loud: The Story Of The Marshall Amp (BBC4)
In the early 1960s drum shop owner Jim Marshall launched the loudest amplifier in the world at a point in time widely perceived to be the birth of rock. Young musicians like Clapton and Hendrix rushed to adopt the revolutionary `Marshall sound', and the electric guitar spoke for a new generation, while stacks and walls became an essential backdrop at concerts. The company was rescued from financial meltdown by comic exposure in the 1984 movie This Is Spinal Tap, and the electronic boxes were propelled to iconic status. This documentary charts the amp's history, with contributions from rock musicians Pete Townshend, Lemmy and Slash, plus an interview with the founder himself

Midnight Phil Collins: Going Back To Detroit (Sky Arts)
The singer explores the roots and legacy of Detroit's unique music scene in the 1960s and 70s, as he joins the Funk Brothers to record an album of his favourite Motown hits

1am Tony Visconti's Unsigned Heroes (Sky Arts)
Ep 2

1am Top Of The Pops 1981 - May 14th (BBC4)
Tommy Vance introduces TOTP appearances by Toyah Willcox, Thin Lizzy, Department S, Tenpole Tudor, Sheena Easton, Kim Carnes and Adam and the Ants, plus a dance performance by Legs and Co. Full details here https://www.thetvdb.com/?tab=episode&seriesid=78332&seasonid=580876&id=5509761&lid=7

1.20am Top Of The Pops 1981- May 28th
Simon Bates presents the chart show from May 28, 1981, featuring the Polecats, UB40, Hazel O'Connor, Coast to Coast, Tenpole Tudor, Adam and the Ants, and Kim Carnes. Full details here https://www.thetvdb.com/?tab=episode&seriesid=78332&seasonid=580876&id=5509763&lid=7



Friday
7.30pm Fleadh Ceoil (RTE1) New!
John Creedon and Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain present from the Ennis Fleadh Cheoil, introducing music by Duchas, the Nesbitt Family, and Co Clare musicians Therese McInerney, Brian and Keith O'Loughlin and Brian Donnellan

7.30pm & 11.50pm Top Of the Pops 1985 - January 17th (BBC4)
Peter Powell and Gary Davies introduce performances by the Limit, Prince, Amii Stewart, Smiley Culture, Russ Abbot, Grandmaster Melle Mel and Foreigner. First aired January 17, 1985 Full details here https://www.thetvdb.com/?tab=episode&seriesid=78332&seasonid=655748&id=5857943&lid=7

8pm Live From The Artists Den - The National (Sky Arts)

9pm & 1.30am Hits, Hype & Hustle: An Insiders Guide To The Music Business (BBC4) New!
New series Ep 1/3. Having spent over 25 years in the music industry, agent Emma Banks has worked with some of the world's most famous artists and seen first-hand the fine line between success and failure. The secret to success and stardom is an elusive formula of luck, timing talent as well as the team behind the talent - the record executives, label bosses and A&R gurus. Here, Emma offers a behind-the-scenes insight into how the industry finds talent and creates superstars. Contributors include Motown legend Martha Reeves, Blur's Alex James and Labelle's Nona Hendryx
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2018/03/hits-hype-hustle

10pm & 2.30am Radio 2 In Concert: Paloma Faith (BBC4)
The award-winning British singer-songwriter takes to the stage of the BBC Radio Theatre, central London, performing songs from her latest album The Architect, a release that has seen her collaborate with fellow artists including Sia, John Legend, Rag'n'Bone Man and Samuel L Jackson. She also performs material from her previous best-selling albums

10pm The Music Videos That Shaped The 80s (Sky Arts)
A look at how the introduction of music videos in the 1980s affected the industry, with contributions by Bob Geldof, Herbie Hancock, Roger Taylor and Richie Sambora, and directors David Mallet, Russell Mulcahy and Kevin Godley

11pm Wild Boys: The Story of Duran Duran (Sky Arts)
Documentary about the new romantic band who ruled the charts during the 1980s with hits including Girls on Film, Hungry Like the Wolf, Rio and Save a Prayer. The band's image, relationships and lifestyles are examined, as the programme follows their climb to superstardom before they fell out of the public's favour. Featuring interviews with band members John Taylor, Nick Rhodes and Simon Le Bon as well as contributions by Debbie Harry and Lou Reed

11pm Soul Power! (Sky Arts)
Ep 2/4 Documentary examining the historical and political contexts of the evolution of soul music, featuring archive performance footage from the 1950s and 60s

Midnight Chic and Nile Rodgers: Jazz A Vienne (Sky Arts)
A concert by the band from 2013, featuring a medley of Diana Ross and Sister Sledge classics, as well as their own hits Everybody Dance, Le Freak and Good Times

12.30am The Joy Of The Single (BBC4)
Documentary taking a journey through the decades to celebrate cherished stories and memories associated with the music single. Artists including Jack White, Noddy Holder, Richard Hawley and Suzi Quatro reveal the powerful impact that singles have had on successive generations, from the rock 'n' rollers of the 1950s to the MP3 downloaders of today

12.35am Other Voices (RTE2)
The second of two programmes from Austin features Mumford & Sons, Gregory Porter, Wild Child, Carson McHone, Asleep at the Wheel, Colm Mac Con Iomaire and Aoife O'Donovan

1.35am Phil Collins: Going Back (Sky Arts)



Saturday
3.15pm Free To Rock: How Rock & Roll Brought Down The Wall (Sky Arts)
Kiefer Sutherland narrates a documentary telling the story of how rock music became a symbol of freedom behind the Iron Curtain and how it helped end the Cold War

4.30pm Live From The Artists Den: The National (Sky Arts)

6.30pm Spandau Ballet - Reformation Tour 1989 (Sky Arts)

9pm & 2.45am Pet Shop Boys: A Life in Pop (Sky Arts)
Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe talk about their early days in the 1980s, and artists including Robbie Williams and Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears discuss the influence of the pop duo. From 2006, it's on Youtube ...



10.15pm Pet Shop Boys: Live At The 02 (2009) (Sky Arts)

11.50pm Top Of The Pops 1985 - January 17th (BBC4)
Same as Friday

12.15am The Cure: Live At Hurricane Festival 2012 (Sky Arts)

12.30am Neil Sed**a: King Of Song (BBC4)

1.15am Chic and Nile Rodgers: Jazz A Vienne (Sky Arts)
Same as Friday

1.30am Neil S***aka: All You Need Is The Music (BBC4)





And once again, Sunday sees hardly anything of note. Might be a gap in the market there for one of the channels.

Freesat and Sky Channel Yesterday like to show blocks of old BBC Music Shows on Saturdays https://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/tv-guide/, this week sees the infamous Damon Albarn fronted Britpop Now showcase featuring Blur, Pulp, Supergrass, Menswe@r and all manner of Britpop chancers

http://www.curiousbritishtelly.co.uk/2015/04/britpop-now.html





Finally, it's good to know that Neil Se***a is balanced out by news that The Blues Brothers is back on free television, namely ITV4, Saturday at 9pm

No bouncer in this land would have let Russ in wearing that sweatshirt.

Not tonight, Russ ...

Very sad to read David Kid Jensen has Parkinson's Disease, he has been battling it for five years. Hopefully he will get a lot of support.


https://twitter.com/davidkidjensen/status/955117566095224832

https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/dj-david-kid-jensen-on-his-parkinsons-disease-i-was-afraid-to-speak-out-36510369.html

Veteran broadcaster David Jensen has told of his fear at revealing he has Parkinson’s disease, because he thought people “might think less of me”.

The Radio 1 stalwart and DJ, also known by his nickname ‘Kid’, has been living with the disease for the past five years.

The 67-year-old disclosed his condition in an official statement at the beginning of the week, explaining he wanted “to demonstrate that it is possible to continue with so many aspects of one’s life”.

Welsh Megaman wrote: »

Just watched part one of ‘Hits, Hype And Hustle’ - excellent

Especially the part about Blur almost being dropped whilst making ‘Modern Life Is Rubbish’ because the record company didn’t sense a hit.

Good to see Menswear on BBC Four too

Half way through it ... better than I expected ... although I have to object to a line I just heard the narrator say "The Zombies are mentioned in the same breath as the Beatles today ..."

Eh? Is DickDave Clark involved in this? More revisionist Beatle Bashing tripe! All credit to the Zombies but they were no Beatles.

As an aside, I turned on Radio Nova last night in the car and they played two Paul McCartney songs in a row which gave me a sinking feeling until I flicked through the stations and no-one else was playing him! Paul lives!

Ah no, sad to him gone. There was no-one quite like Mark E. There isn't a whole lot new this weekend apart from a Sky Arts Sting Documentary which might have been originally made in French, from what I can see. Monsieur Le Sting must be big over there.

Elsewhere Eric Clapton, Dire Straits, U2, The Kinks,The Doors and eh ... Lisa McHugh all feature along with that BBC Insiders documentary with the very long name ...





Thursday
10.45am & Midnight California Dreamin': The Songs Of The Mama and The Papas (Sky Arts)
Documentary charting the success of the Californian pop group, featuring performance and archive footage, and interviews with band members, including Mama Cass. The band provide accounts of the writing and recording process involved in the creation of their hit songs and how they personally dealt with instant fame and success

7.30pm & Midnight Top Of The Pops 1985 - January 31st (BBC4)
Peter Powell and Janice Long present the January 31st edition, featuring Big Sound Authority, Art of Noise, Bruce Springsteen and Foreigner. Full details here https://www.thetvdb.com/?tab=episode&seriesid=78332&seasonid=655748&id=5857945&lid=7

1am Lisa McHugh Live (TG4)

3.15am Johnny Cash: A Legend In Concert (Sky Arts)
A selection of early recordings by the country star, featuring performances of Five Feet High and Rising, I Got Stripes and Don't Take Your Guns to Town




Friday
7pm Simply Red: Live at Sydney Opera House (2010) (Sky Arts)

7.30pm & Midnight Top Of The Pops 1985 - February 7th (BBC4)
Richard Skinner and Gary Davies introduce performances by King, Bryan Adams, Phil Collins, Kirsty MacColl, Howard Jones, Billy Ocean, and Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson. First aired February 7, 1985. Full details here https://www.thetvdb.com/?tab=episode&seriesid=78332&seasonid=655748&id=5857949&lid=7

8pm Live From The Artists Den - Alanis Morissette (Sky Arts)

9pm & 1.40am Hits. Hypes & Hustle: An Insider's Guide To The Music Business (BBC4)
Ep 2/3 Music promoter John Giddings tells the story of how live performance has become a billion-pound industry. Where once bands would tour just to promote an album, in the age of downloads and dwindling record sales, the live arena is booming. The programme also tells the story of the original Isle of Wight festival, where a bunch of young promoters with big ideas persuaded Bob Dylan, the Who and Leonard Cohen to perform. The event transformed the music industry, and, for the young John who was in the audience, inspired a whole career. Contributors include Phil Collins, Stewart Copeland, Mel C and Alex James

10pm & 2.40am Glastonbury Golden Greats (BBC4)
A reflection on some of the most popular acts to perform at the music festival over the years, including Shirley Bassey, Tony Bennett, Neil Diamond, Al Green, Willie Nelson, BB King and Johnny Cash. Plus, Queen of Country Dolly Parton's set from the 2014 event

10pm Classic Albums: The Joshua Tree (Sky Arts)
The making of U2's album The Joshua Tree, which features the tracks I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For and With or Without You. Members of the band and producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois reveal stories behind the 1987 classic

11pm Guitar Heroes at the BBC (BBC4)
Archive footage from BBC music shows of the 1970s, including Pete Townshend of the Who, acoustic numbers by Davy Graham and Ralph McTell, and the talents of Americans Nils Lofgren and Ted Nugent. Also featured are performances by the Faces, Chris Spedding, the Runaways, Judas Priest, ZZ Top and the Cate Brothers

11pm Soul Power! (Sky Arts)
The documentary examining the evolution of soul music continues, with leading musicians and performers revealing the impact it has had on their lives and careers

Midnight Pet Shop Boys: A Life In Pop (Sky Arts)
Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe talk about their early days in the 1980s, and artists including Robbie Williams and Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears discuss the influence of the pop duo

12.30am Other Voices (RTE2)
An Electric Picnic special, featuring Le Galaxie, Holly Macve, Heathers, Word Up Collective, Karl Blau, Dr Dog and My Sweet Beloved

12.40am The Kinks At The BBC (BBC4)
Archive performances by the band from shows including Top of the Pops and The Old Grey Whistle Test, charting how their sound developed from the 1960s to the 1980s. The programme also features highlights from lead singer Ray Davies' solo career, including clips from Later with Jools Holland and his 2007 concert at the BBC Electric Proms

1.15am Crowded House Live At Sydney Opera House (Sky Arts)




Saturday
6pm Live From The Artist's Den - Alanis Morissette (Sky Arts)

7pm David Gilmour: Live in Gdansk 2006 (Sky Arts)

9pm & 2.45am Sting: A Free Man (Sky Arts) New!
100 million records sold, 16 Grammy Awards and a place on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Sting is a genre-breaking, unique paradox in the world of music. Yet we know so little about the man. Behind the global rock star hides an intellectual, a free and frail man who uses his art to express his inner thoughts and bear the battles important to him. This is a unique opportunity to discover him through exclusive interviews with the star singer and testimonies of famous artists like Will I Am, Zucchero or Bob Geldof.
https://www.aboutpremiumcontent.com/programs/sting-free-man/


10.15pm Joe Cocker: Mad Dogs & Englishmen (Sky Arts)
The blues singer in concert at Manhattan's Fillmore East and the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, featuring Delta Lady, The Letter and She Came in Through the Bathroom Window

10.55pm Top Of The Pops 1985 - January 31st (BBC4)

11.25pm Top Of The Pops 1985 - February 7th (BBC4)

12.05am The Easybeats to AC/DC: The Story Of Aussie Rock (BBC4)
The story of the rock band, and how Australian family run company Albert Music launched them in the mid-1970s onto the global music scene. The film recalls how Scottish emigre siblings Angus and Malcolm Young were produced by their older brother George and fellow Easybeats member Harry Vanda, later joined by lead singer Bon Scott. The film retraces the band's explosion in popularity, the relentless touring and the early death of Scott in 1980

12.30am The Doors: Feast Of Friends (Sky Arts)
The Doors' 1968 self-produced documentary film offering a cinematic look at the band on the road during their summer tour

1.05am New York Rock At The BBC (BBC4)
A celebration of the cream of the city's rock scene, featuring archive performances by the Ramones, New York Dolls, Television, Blondie and Lou Reed

1.05am Ceol ar an Imeall (TG4)
Featuring performances from Dublin acoustic hip-hop band the Original Rudeboys and Galway folk-pop group My Fellow Sponges, while Una Mullally chats with London-based duo AlunaGeorge, comprising songwriter Aluna Francis and producer George Reid, about their musical journey since meeting in 2009

1.15am The Doors Live At The Hollywood Bowl '68 (Sky Arts)

2.05am Joy Of The Guitar Riff (BBC4)
Documentary exploring the impact of the guitar riff on popular music over the past 60 years, including a look at how it became the foundation on which rock 'n' roll was built. With stories from Brian May, Dave Davies, Hank Marvin, Joan Jett, Nile Rodgers, Tony Iommi, Robert Fripp, Johnny Marr and more. Narrated by Lauren Laverne




Sunday
9pm Dire Straits Live Alchemy 1983 (Sky Arts)
Concert film recorded over two nights at London's Hammersmith Odeon in July 1983 at the end of the band's eight-month Love Over Gold tour, including performances of Once Upon a Time in the West, Private Investigations, Romeo and Juliet, Sultans of Swing and Telegraph Road

11pm Eric Clapton Live in California 2001 (Sky Arts)

11.05pm BBC Proms 2017: Stax With Jools Holland (BBC4)
At London's Royal Albert Hall, Jools Holland pays tribute to Stax Records, alongside original stars Eddie Floyd, Sam Moore, William Bell, Booker T Jones and Steve Cropper, plus UK artists including Tom Jones, James Morrison, Beverley Knight, Nadia Rose and Sweetie Irie, and Ruby Turner. Founded in 1957, the Memphis-based company was synonymous with Southern Soul, a distinctive blend of funk, gospel and R'n'B, producing soul artists such as Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, and Sam and Dave. Music includes Green Onions, Knock on Wood, Soul Man and Try a Little Tenderness

12.15am Discovering Music: Eric Clapton (Sky Arts)

12.35am Classic Soul At The BBC (BBC4)
Performances from the BBC archive by acclaimed soul singers, including Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Dusty Springfield, Solomon Burke and Percy Sledge

12.45am Sting: A Free Man (Sky Arts)
Same as Saturday




And that's about it, The Blues Brothers moves from ITV3 to ITV4 this week (Friday 11pm), which is nice timing if you want to escape the Late Late Show before it gets to the extra miserable bit.

Shame about Mark E Smith, though - they let him read out the Football Results on Grandstand once. Which was only fair seeing as he wrote the music intro for that bit

I see BBC Four did a Doc on The Fall and Mark E Smith a few years ago,

it's on Youtube but maybe they will give it another airing