Plot Synopsis

"Seven Ages of Rock" is comprised of seven films that chart the history of Rock Music. It's a definitive landmark series charting the emergence and re-emergence of rock music as a global force, as told through the musicians who have shaped this most enduring of genres. Part 1 (Blues-based Rock, 1963-1970): "The Birth of Rock" documents the rock revolution of the 1960s seen through the life and music of Jimi Hendrix and also explores the influence of rhythm & blues on a generation of British musicians such as The Rolling Stones, Cream and The Who. Part 2 (Art Rock, 1966-1980): "White Light, White Heat" describes how artistic and conceptual expression permeated rock, including Andy Warhol, Velvet Underground, Peter Gabriel's Genesis, Pink Floyd, Roxy Music, and David Bowie. Part 3 (Punk, 1973-1980): "Blank Generation" tells a tale of two cities, London and New York, and the birth of punk, which marked the biggest and fundamental shift in popular music from acts like The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Ramones, Television, Patti Smith, The Damned and Buzzcocks. Part 4 (Heavy Metal, 1970-1991): "Never Say Die" follows the story of longest surviving and certainly the loudest genre of rock, which emerged at the tail end of the hippy dream from the rust belt of industrial England and included bands like Deep Purple, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Metallica. Part 5 (Stadium Rock, 1965-1993): "We Are the Champions" shows how rock achieved a global influence on culture and politics, including the effects of Live Aid and MTV, and the bands the took part -- Queen, Bruce Springsteen, The Police, Dire Straits and U2. Part 6 (Alternative Dial, 1980-1994): "Left of the Dial" traces the rise of alternative rock in the USA from the early underground days of Black Flag in Los Angeles to Husker Du in Minneapolis to the grunge explosion of Nirvana in Seattle. Part 7 (Indie, 1980-2007): "What the World Is Waiting For" chronicles the story of British indie, including The Smiths, The Stone Roses, and the Blur vs. Oasis competition in the mid-90s as well as Franz Ferdinand, The Libertines and The Arctic Monkeys of the 2000s.