Half of this hour-long episode is a tribute to poet-singer Bob Dylan and the other half is the continuation of the history of rock 'n roll, as the DVD title suggests.
To this day, I still think Dylan is one of the worst singers I've ever heard but there is no denying his songwriting and his influence on music which is why, obviously, he got so much air time on this series. So far, nobody has gotten that much publicity on this Time-Life series, even Elvis or The Beatles, which doesn't make sense. Whatever, Dylan wrote a lot of great songs and is spoken of in God-like terms by other musicians interviewed here.
Since Dylan started out as a folk singer, that genre gets a segment here on this fifth episode. Since it's not rock 'n roll and, it's admitted here by someone that "folkies" hated rock music, then why is it included in this series? My guess is that folk music was so "socially aware," so Left Wing, the editors here just had to give it huge notice and praise.
We listen to some songs and hear comments by "bohemians from coffee houses" who hit it big in the '60s such as Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Dave Van Ronk, Phil Ochs, Richie Havens, Arlo Guthrie and Peter, Paul and Mary.
The 1965 Newport Folk Festival, however, changed things bigtime, as we see. Dylan shocked people with electric material, literally, which is why this episode is called "plugged in." Give Dylan credit; he had guts. He teed off all the "folkies." Where was his "integrity?" they asked. Gee, what elitist snobs. Where is their tolerance? Good for Bob.
The second half of this hour-long show features, among others, Roger McGuinn and The Byrds, John and Michelle Phillips and The Mamas and the Papas; Brian Wilson did not want to tour with the famous Beach Boys, wanted to make better music - "Pet Sounds" spiritual and sophisticated - and that was big breakthrough "Underground radio" begins and the first big star was Jimi Hendrix, who went to England, blew the other musicians' minds, and came back to do the same here in the States. He is now of legendary status. What a shame he died early.
Later, we hear from Pete Townsend, Peter No one ("Herman's Hermits"), Eric Clapton and a few others as rock goes electric in a big-way and blues is introduced to white kids.
The Monterey Pop Festival of 1967 is the first time Hendrix and others played for American audience. "That concert was the real ground-breaker for rock 'n roll," remarks Al Kooper.
Hendrix and The Who exhibited, as we see, a new theater, smashing up their guitars after their sets. The Who demolished about everything The rock 'n roll scene was really heating up!
To this day, I still think Dylan is one of the worst singers I've ever heard but there is no denying his songwriting and his influence on music which is why, obviously, he got so much air time on this series. So far, nobody has gotten that much publicity on this Time-Life series, even Elvis or The Beatles, which doesn't make sense. Whatever, Dylan wrote a lot of great songs and is spoken of in God-like terms by other musicians interviewed here.
Since Dylan started out as a folk singer, that genre gets a segment here on this fifth episode. Since it's not rock 'n roll and, it's admitted here by someone that "folkies" hated rock music, then why is it included in this series? My guess is that folk music was so "socially aware," so Left Wing, the editors here just had to give it huge notice and praise.
We listen to some songs and hear comments by "bohemians from coffee houses" who hit it big in the '60s such as Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Dave Van Ronk, Phil Ochs, Richie Havens, Arlo Guthrie and Peter, Paul and Mary.
The 1965 Newport Folk Festival, however, changed things bigtime, as we see. Dylan shocked people with electric material, literally, which is why this episode is called "plugged in." Give Dylan credit; he had guts. He teed off all the "folkies." Where was his "integrity?" they asked. Gee, what elitist snobs. Where is their tolerance? Good for Bob.
The second half of this hour-long show features, among others, Roger McGuinn and The Byrds, John and Michelle Phillips and The Mamas and the Papas; Brian Wilson did not want to tour with the famous Beach Boys, wanted to make better music - "Pet Sounds" spiritual and sophisticated - and that was big breakthrough "Underground radio" begins and the first big star was Jimi Hendrix, who went to England, blew the other musicians' minds, and came back to do the same here in the States. He is now of legendary status. What a shame he died early.
Later, we hear from Pete Townsend, Peter No one ("Herman's Hermits"), Eric Clapton and a few others as rock goes electric in a big-way and blues is introduced to white kids.
The Monterey Pop Festival of 1967 is the first time Hendrix and others played for American audience. "That concert was the real ground-breaker for rock 'n roll," remarks Al Kooper.
Hendrix and The Who exhibited, as we see, a new theater, smashing up their guitars after their sets. The Who demolished about everything The rock 'n roll scene was really heating up!