Pop Chronicles facts for kids
| Home station | KRLA |
|---|---|
| Syndicates | Armed Forces Radio |
| Creators | John Gilliland |
| Producers | Chester Coleman |
| Narrated by | John Gilliland, Sie Holliday, Thom Beck |
| Air dates | 1969 to c1976 |
| No. of episodes | 55 |
| Other themes | The Chronicles of Pop by Len Chandler |
| Website | The John Gilliland Collection |
The Pop Chronicles were two special radio shows. They were like audio documentaries, meaning they told a true story using sounds and interviews. These shows explored the history of popular music in America. They covered songs and artists from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. A person named John Gilliland created both of these interesting radio series.
Contents
The Pop Chronicles: Music from the 1950s and 1960s
The first "Pop Chronicles" series focused on music from the 1950s and 1960s. It first aired in 1969. The radio station KRLA 1110 in Los Angeles played this show.
Many people helped make this series. John Gilliland was the creator and also narrated parts of the show. Other people like Dick LaPalm, Lew Irwin, Harry Shearer, Mike Masterson, and Richard Perry interviewed famous musicians. They asked the artists about their music and experiences. A musician named Len Chandler wrote and sang the main song for the show, called “The Chronicles of Pop.” Chester Coleman worked as the engineer, making sure the sound was good, and also helped produce the show.
Other radio stations also played "The Pop Chronicles." The American Forces Network, which broadcasts to military members, aired the show. Today, you can listen to this series online. The University of North Texas Music Library started sharing it online in June 2010.
Pop Chronicles: Music from the 1940s
| Home station | KSFO |
|---|---|
| Syndicates | AFRTS |
| Creators | John Gilliland |
| Narrated by | John Gilliland |
| Air dates | 1972 to 1976 |
| No. of episodes | 24 |
A second series, called "Pop Chronicles the 40s," focused on music from the 1940s. The radio station KSFO in San Francisco played this show in 1972 and again in 1976. The American Forces Network also played this series for its listeners.
Later, in 1994, John Gilliland released a shorter version of the 1940s series. It came out on audio cassette, which was a popular way to listen to recordings back then. This audio version was called Pop Chronicles the 40s: The Lively Story of Pop Music in the 40s. It was also known as The Big Band Chronicles.
After John Gilliland passed away, his sister gave all the original "Pop Chronicles" tapes to the University of North Texas Music Library. These tapes are now part of a special collection called The John Gilliland Collection. This means people can still listen to and learn from these important radio shows today.
More to Explore
- The History of Rock and Roll
- You can listen to The Pop Chronicles online.
See also
In Spanish: Pop Chronicles para niños
