"Rock Follies" (1976) TV series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

24 February 1976 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Charlotte Cornwell	...	Anna Ward (6 episodes, 1976)
Julie Covington	...	Devonia 'Dee' Rhoades (6 episodes, 1976)
Rula Lenska	...	Nancy 'Q' Cunard de Longchamps (6 episodes, 1976)
Stephen Moore	...	Jack (6 episodes, 1976)
Billy Murray	...	Spike (6 episodes, 1976)
Emlyn Price	...	Derek Huggin (6 episodes, 1976)
Angela Bruce	...	Gloria (5 episodes, 1976)
Michael Shannon	...	Carl 'Tubes' Benson (5 episodes, 1976)
David Joss Buckley	...	Chris (4 episodes, 1976)
Angela Chadfield	...	Joyce (4 episodes, 1976)
Ellis Dale	...	Schubert Birnbaum (4 episodes, 1976)
Vivienne Burgess	...	Mrs. Wynd (3 episodes, 1976)
Christopher Neil	...	David (3 episodes, 1976)
Bill Stewart	...	Bob (3 episodes, 1976)
Peter Van Hooke	...	The Group (3 episodes, 1976)
James Warwick	...	Nigel (3 episodes, 1976)

Series Directed by
Jon Scoffield		(4 episodes, 1976)
Brian Farnham		(2 episodes, 1976)

Series Writing credits
Howard Schuman		(6 episodes, 1976)

Series Produced by
Andrew Brown	....	producer (6 episodes, 1976)
Verity Lambert	....	executive producer (6 episodes, 1976)

Series Original Music by
Andy Mackay		(6 episodes, 1976)

Series Production Design by
Alex Clarke		(6 episodes, 1976)
Rod Stratfold		(6 episodes, 1976)

Series Costume Design by
Martin Baugh		(5 episodes, 1976)
Jennie Tate		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Launa Brandish	....	makeup supervisor (2 episodes, 1976)

Series Art Department
Andy Armstrong	....	props (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Frank Van Raay	....	costume supervisor (2 episodes, 1976)

Series Music Department
Howard Schuman	....	lyrics (6 episodes, 1976)
Sam Harding	....	music associate / musical associate (2 episodes, 1976)
Brian Chatton	....	musician: keyboards (unknown episodes)
Andy Mackay	....	musician: saxophone (unknown episodes)
Ray Russell	....	musician: guitar (unknown episodes)
Tony Stevens	....	musician: bass (unknown episodes)
Peter Van Hooke	....	musician: drums (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Kate Goodwin	....	stage manager (3 episodes, 1976)
Stuart Orme	....	floor manager (3 episodes, 1976)
David Toguri	....	choreography (3 episodes, 1976)
Isobel Neil	....	production assistant (2 episodes, 1976)

Production Companies

• Thames Television

Distributors

• Independent Television (ITV)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Thames Television

Movie Connections:

Featured in Verity Lambert: Drama Queen (2008) (TV)

Enjoyable little British Series

This is the type of show/movie/presentation I like writing about because it is rather obscure and only the 'faithful' will fully understand. PBS in the States in the late 1970's and early 1980's brought over some highly enjoyable British comedic fare, with 'Monty Python's Flying Circus', then 'No, Honestly', 'Rock Follies', and of course, 'Are You Being Served'.

It was, like, once you got hooked on watching one, you would stay to see the next. Rock Follies which followed the trials and tribulations of three young women who hoped to make it as a rock singing group was probably the weakest of the four as it seemed to lurch between biting comedy and bitter sweet drama with each episode showing the girls barely making it in whatever venue they were unceremoniously dropped, and then failure settling in.

If you really enjoy seeing a musical group starting from scratch and following their lives as they face numerous hurdles both professional and personal, with what would appear to be an insider's look at the music business, and you enjoy the music, then I would recommend this. And for those who remember that rather 'infamous' advertisement for a hair product, you'll get to see who Rula Lenska was. One of the first celebutantes (who really was neither, just like some we know today ;)

It's not for everyone's tastes but British tele can be that way to an American audience. Now when does Season 2 of Downton Abbey return?