Thirty years of rock

Press, 20 October 1986, Page 23

Thirty years of rock

] Television Two puts its ‘regular Monday night fare /on the shelf for a week to {clear the air for a rock’n’ /roll superstar spectacular. ? "A Super Night of {Rock’n’Roll” (8 p.m.) is a twprhour show with something for everyone who '/has ever enjoyed the {sound of an electric guitar “i or bopped to drums. Hosted by Howard iHesseman. (groover Johnny Fever in {“WKRP”) the programme Travels through a musical arc spanning the 30-year {history of rock music. | Beginning with a barrage of rock’n’roll anThems, including Bill {Haley’s “Rock Around the ’Clock,” Joan Jett’s “I /Love Rock’n’Roll” and the 'Rolling Stones’ “It’s Only , Rock’n’Roll,” it then • moves into; a tribute to 'some of the greats from {the!early days. These inf elude immortals like Elvis | Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, ? Lithe Richard and Chuck

Berry. Using video clips, excerpts from films, and live performances, the programme then moves into examples of rock’n’romance like the Temptations’ “My Girl,” and an examination of fun times featuring The Beach Boys and the Four Seasons.

Those with fond memories of kaftans and incense will enjoy a section which looks at the West Coast sound, and features the Jefferson Airplane/ Starship, The Doors, Janis Joplin and The Mamas And The Pappas.

Then there is the British invasion (featuring The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, The Kinks and The Hollies), girl groups (The Shangri-Las, The Crystals, The Ronettes and Martha and The Vandellas), sweet soul music (Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops

and James Brown) and, to bring things up-to-date, the last decade (featuring Jackson Browne, David Bowie, Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen).

There is also a homage to the guitar greats, vignettes of rock history and teen-age life, and many more legendary rock greats besides.