In the Beginning

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Episode 1 of 3, Imagine, The Story of the Guitar

Duration: 1 hour

Alan Yentob embarks on a three-part personal journey to discover how the guitar became the world's favourite musical instrument. Beginning with the rise of the acoustic guitar, the series takes him from an ancient Middle Eastern ancestor of the lute, to the iconic guitars draped round the necks of Bill Hailey and Elvis Presley and beyond.

Featuring interviews with Bert Weedon - the man who taught Britain to 'Play in a Day', Pete Townshend, Bill Bailey, flamenco player Paco Pena and classical guitarist John Williams.

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  • CLIP: Apollo’s lyre

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    Alan Yentob recounts the Greek legend about the origins of the guitar.

Credits

Presenter
Alan Yentob
Participant
Bert Weedon
Participant
Pete Townshend
Participant
Bill Bailey
Participant
Paco Pena
Participant
John Williams
Producer
Roger Parsons
Executive Producer
Janet Lee

Broadcasts

See all broadcasts of In the Beginning (5)

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