Be My Baby is the final episode of this acclaimed BBC FOUR three-part series exploring the genesis, evolution and impact of rock 'n' roll in America. The film charts the years bookended by Buddy Holly’s death in early 1959 and the Beatles landing at JFK in spring 1964. Rock 'n' roll calmed down, went uptown and got spun into teen pop in a number of America’s biggest cities.
Philadelphia produced heartthrobs like Fabian who were beamed around the country by daily TV show American Bandstand. Young Jewish songwriters in the Brill Building drove girl groups on the East Coast who gave a female voice to teenage romance. Rock 'n' roll even fuelled the Motown sound in Detroit and sound tracked the sunshiny West Coast Dream, from guitar instrumental groups like The Ventures to LA’s emerging Beach Boys. In the early 60s rock 'n' roll was birthing increasingly polished pop sounds across the States, but American teens seemed to have settled back into sensible young adulthood. Enter the longhaired boys from Liverpool, Newcastle and London.
Featuring exclusive interviews with Jerry Lee Lewis, Ben E King, Chubby Checker, Ronnie Spector, Barrett Strong, Eric Burdon, and Pat Boone. Narrated by David Morrissey.