Pick A Movie

Classic Albums

Season: 3

Episode: 1

Iron Maiden: Number of the Beast

Air Date:01/11/2001

Iron Maiden has been both criticized and praised for their unforgiving presentation of hard rock. This album took them to worldwide stardom, and awoke accusations of backward masking, subliminal messages, and Satanism. Producer Martin Birch dissects the master tapes with the five band members, who discuss the writing and recording of each song, while looking for the 'hidden' elements.

Crew

Name: Tim Kirkby

Role: Director

Department: Directing

Name: Nick De Grunwald

Role: Producer

Department: Production

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Guest Stars

Name: Martin Birch

Character: Self - Producer

Department: Acting

Name: Bruce Dickinson

Character: Self - Lead Vocals

Department: Acting

Name: Steve Harris

Character: Self - Bass and Vocals

Department: Acting

Name: Dave Murray

Character: Self - Guitar

Department: Acting

Name: Adrian Smith

Character: Self - Guitar and Vocals

Department: Acting

Name: Clive Burr

Character: Self - Drums

Department: Acting

Name: Ross Halfin

Character: Self - Photographer

Department: Acting

Name: Masa Itoh

Character: Self - Music Journalist / DJ

Department: Acting

Name: Mick Wall

Character: Self - Editor, Classic Rock Magazine

Department: Acting

Name: Malcolm Dome

Character: Self - Total Rock

Department: Acting

Name: Rod Smallwood

Character: Self - Manager

Department: Production

Name: Don Zimmerman

Character: Self - President, Capitol Records 1976-1987

Department: Acting

Name: Nicko McBrain

Character: Self - Drums 1982-present

Department: Acting

Name: Dave Mustaine

Character: Self - Megadeth

Department: Acting

Name: Chris Aylmer

Character: Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Department: Acting

Name: Paul Samson

Character: Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Department: Acting

Name: Dennis Stratton

Character: Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Department: Acting

Name: Paul Di'Anno

Character: Self - Lead Vocals 1976-1981 (archive footage)

Department: Acting

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Episode: 2

Elton John: Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road

Air Date:06/11/2001

Elton John, along with some of his past and present band members discuss the creation of his opus, 'Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road'. Producer Gus Dudgeon and engineer David Henschel pull up some of the original multi-tracks, and demonstrate how the music was played and sang. Bernie Taupin is also on hand to describe his lyric writing, and some rare footage of rehearsals, and photos shot in the studio, are presented.

Guest Stars

Name: Elton John

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Gus Dudgeon

Character: Self - Producer

Department: Acting

Name: Paul Gambaccini

Character: Self - Broadcaster

Department: Acting

Name: Del Newman

Character: Self - Orchestral Arranger

Department: Acting

Name: Davey Johnstone

Character: Self - Guitarist

Department: Sound

Name: Tim Rice

Character: Self - Lyricist

Department: Writing

Name: Bernie Taupin

Character: Self - Lyricist

Department: Acting

Name: Nigel Olsson

Character: Self - Drummer

Department: Acting

Name: Rick Frio

Character: Self - Marketing MCA Records USA

Department: Acting

Name: David Hentschel

Character: Self - Engineer

Department: Acting

Name: Connie Hillman

Character: Self - Vice President Rocket Records

Department: Acting

Name: Russ Regan

Character: Self - A&R MCA Records USA

Department: Sound

Name: Robert Sandall

Character: Self - Journalist

Department: Acting

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Episode: 3

Metallica: Metallica (Black Album)

Air Date:13/11/2001

Metallica's 12 million selling breakthrough album is examined in depth. Taped at One on One Studios, where it was recorded, Producer Bob Rock, along with all four band members, discuss the making of each song, and how they polished their sound to command a wider audience.

Crew

Name: Nick De Grunwald

Role: Producer

Department: Production

Name: Matthew Longfellow

Role: Director

Department: Directing

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Guest Stars

Name: Kirk Hammett

Character: Self - Guitarist, Metallica

Department: Acting

Name: James Hetfield

Character: Self - Guitarist, Vocalist, Metallica

Department: Acting

Name: Jason Newsted

Character: Self - Bassist, Metallica

Department: Acting

Name: Lars Ulrich

Character: Self - Drummer, Metallica

Department: Acting

Name: Michael Kamen

Character: Self

Department: Sound

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Episode: 4

Lou Reed: Transformer

Air Date:26/11/2001

Co-produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, this 1972 landmark album took Lou Reed from cult idol to glam superstar status. Here Reed examines each track, discussing with engineer Ken Scott the creation process. Bassist Herbie Flowers shows us how the riff for 'Walk On The Wild Side', was recorded, and we see some archives of Lou's performances.

Guest Stars

Name: Lou Reed

Character: Self

Department: Acting

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Episode: 5

Judas Priest: British Steel

Air Date:10/12/2001

The metal classic 'British Steel' is examined here. The band, minus drummer Dave Holland, explain the songwriting process and lyrical ideas, interspersed with live footage of performances from that period. Producer Tom Allom demonstrates how the sound effects were achieved, and the two guitarists show how their 'trademark' twin guitar sound is generated.

Crew

Name: Tim Kirkby

Role: Director

Department: Directing

Name: Bous De Jong

Role: Producer

Department: Production

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Guest Stars

Name: Mick Wall

Character: Self - Editor, Classic Rock Magazine

Department: Acting

Name: Rob Halford

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Tom Allom

Character: Self - Producer

Department: Acting

Name: K.K. Downing

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Glenn Tipton

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Ian Hill

Character: Self

Department: Acting

Name: Phil Alexander

Character: Self - Editor (Kerrang!)

Department: Acting

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Episode: 6

Elvis Presley: Elvis Presley

Air Date:29/12/2001

The debut album of the King is examined here. It was the first million-selling rock album, and the first million-selling popular music album for RCA. We hear from some of the producers and musicians who contributed, and each track is discussed in depth. Five of the songs were taken from Elvis' Sun Sessions, and Sam Phillips is on hand to discuss those sessions. Elvis' version of Carl Perkins' classic, 'Blue Suede Shoes' is dissected, and his first smash single, 'Heartbreak Hotel', is included, though not originally on the album.