Shakespeares in the Alley; Respect

Series: Rock & Roll Series

Duration: 60

Year Published: 1995

Creator: David Espar

Format: 16mm

Color: Color

Description: Shakespeares in the Alley looks at the towering influences of Bob Dylan and the Beatles on rock and roll and at the brief but influential flowering of "folk rock" inspired by the Dylan/Beatles axis in the mid 60's. Footage of Dylan and the Fab Four and interviews with Beatles producer George Martin, key Dylan session musician Al Kooper, Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary, Roger McQuinn and David Cosby of the Byrds and poet Allen Ginsberg. Respect chronicles the transformation of black gospel music into a defining sound for all Americans as well as soul music's role in the simultaneous quest for African American equality in the 60's. On hand to tell the tale: Berry Gordy Jr., Ray Charles, Martha Reeves, Mary Wilson, Booker T. and the MG's, Wilson Pickett, Maxine Powell of the Motown "Charm School," Motown choreographer Cholly Atkins, and many more. Journeys from Detroit's Motown Records to Stax Records in Memphis. Last stop: the FAME studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where Aretha Franklin, a Detroit preacher's daughter, made musical magic.