Watch Rock'N'Roll Inventions

Rock’N’Roll Inventions is a fascinating and informative television series presented by the Smithsonian CHANNEL. This show takes the audience on a thrilling journey through the history of music, highlighting the crucial inventions and technological advancements that shaped the rock and roll genre as we know it today.

Through six engaging episodes, the show explores everything from the electric guitar to the drum kit, from the microphone to the loudspeaker. Each episode is dedicated to one of these fundamental inventions, and delves into its fascinating backstory, showcasing the inventors, entrepreneurs, and musicians who played a significant role in its development.

The first episode, for example, explores the world of amplification and the electric guitar. This episode takes the audience back in time to the early 20th century, when acoustic guitars were the most popular musical instrument. Then, the episode shifts to the 1930s and 1940s, when inventors such as Adolph Rickenbacker and Les Paul began experimenting with ways to amplify the guitar. The episode features interviews with experts and historians who explain the technical aspects of the invention and its impact on music. The show then moves into a discussion of how the electric guitar revolutionized the rock and roll genre, with features on legendary guitarists like Chuck Berry and Jimi Hendrix.

Similarly, the second episode focuses on the drum kit, examining the evolution of percussion instruments from the earliest forms of snare drums to the modern drum set. The episode highlights the contributions of important figures such as Gene Krupa and Dave Grohl, as well as the innovations of inventors like Ludwig and the Zildjian family. The episode features interviews with current drummers who discuss their love for the instrument and its unique ability to drive a song.

Other episodes explore the rise of rock and roll and the importance of the microphone, the history of amplification and the loudspeaker, and the impact of the recording studio and sound mixing. Each episode is packed with insights and entertaining anecdotes about the musicians and innovators who helped shape the rock and roll world. In addition, the show features archival footage, photos, and sound clips that create a vivid picture of how the world of music has evolved over the last century.

Throughout the series, the hosts provide a wealth of information and keep the audience engaged with their enthusiasm and passion for the subject matter. Among the presenters is Tim Shaw, a musician and inventor who brings a unique perspective to the show by shedding light on some of the lesser-known aspects of rock and roll technology. Also featured are musicians and experts in the field such as Tom Scholz from the band Boston, Grammy-winning producer John Jaszcz, drummer Clem Burke from Blondie, and others.

Overall, Rock’N’Roll Inventions is an engaging and entertaining series that captures the essence of rock and roll while also revealing the technical advancements that underpin it. Each episode is packed with fascinating details and stories that will appeal to music enthusiasts, inventors, and historians alike. The show does an excellent job of tracing the evolution of rock and roll, and how this genre has become a global phenomenon that has impacted generations of music lovers around the world.