The History of Rock with Chris Langham
Encyclopedia
The History of Rock with Chris Langham was a BBC
radio comedy
broadcast in the United Kingdom
in 1984. It was narrated by Chris Langham
, and was broadcast as three half-hour episodes.
Across the three episodes the show documented the progression of rock music
in a comedic manner, detailing fictional stories about famous musicians and the way rock music evolved through the twentieth century. Langham's narration let the story unfold, and there were frequent impersonations of rock stars and their songs, parodying the styles of artists such as Elvis Presley
and The Beatles
.
As well as Langham, the show was voiced by Mark Arden, Janice Kramer, Steve Frost and Philip Pope (the latter of whom collaborated with Steve Brown in writing and performing the musical material). It was written by Roger Planer with additional material from Mark Smith and Arnold Brown, and produced by Jamie Rix.
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
radio comedy
Radio comedy
Radio comedy, or comedic radio programming, is a radio broadcast that may involve sitcom elements, sketches and various types of comedy found on other media. It may also include more surreal or fantastic elements, as these can be conveyed on a small budget with just a few sound effects or some...
broadcast in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1984. It was narrated by Chris Langham
Chris Langham
Christopher "Chris" Langham is an English writer, actor and comedian. He is most famous for playing MP Hugh Abbot in BBC Four sitcom The Thick of It and as presenter Roy Mallard in People Like Us, first on BBC Radio 4 and later on its transfer to television on BBC Two, where Mallard is almost...
, and was broadcast as three half-hour episodes.
Across the three episodes the show documented the progression of rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
in a comedic manner, detailing fictional stories about famous musicians and the way rock music evolved through the twentieth century. Langham's narration let the story unfold, and there were frequent impersonations of rock stars and their songs, parodying the styles of artists such as Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
and The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
.
As well as Langham, the show was voiced by Mark Arden, Janice Kramer, Steve Frost and Philip Pope (the latter of whom collaborated with Steve Brown in writing and performing the musical material). It was written by Roger Planer with additional material from Mark Smith and Arnold Brown, and produced by Jamie Rix.