Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History
2017 · CNN · 60 min · 1 season
S01E08 · Out, Loud, & Proud
Fri, 16 June, 12:00 pm
The episode tracks the beginning of the gay rights movement in America following the riots at Stonewall Inn and how music has played a vital role in celebrating and preaching tolerance of the LGBT community.
About
Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History is an eight-part series executive-produced by Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia and Brian Gewirtz that will explore the music tied to iconic moments in history. Every episode will cover a tragedy, triumph, or the start of a movement – and the music that came to define it. From the March on Washington to the riots at Stonewall, the moon landing to Hurricane Katrina – music has played an integral part in celebrating, criticizing, and amplifying these seismic events in our collective history. Soundtracks is produced by Show of Force and Seven Bucks Productions.
Episodes
- E01
The Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Fri, 21 Apr· 60 minThe series premiere explores the music that kept the spirit of the civil rights movement alive following King's death–from James Brown's black power anthem, "Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud)" to Kendrick Lamar's searing protest song, "Alright," inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. The music in the episode celebrates the strength and solidarity of the African American experience while reminding us how far we still have to go.
- E02
September 11th
Fri, 28 Apr· 60 minFollowing the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, songs like Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" took on a new and heightened meaning and politically charged country music took center stage.
- E03
Kent State and the Vietnam War
Fri, 12 May· 60 minFollowing the killings of four Kent State University students during anti-Vietnam War protests, politically driven songs from Neil Young, Buffalo Springfield and others became popular.
- E04
Hurricane Katrina
Fri, 19 May· 60 minFollowing Hurricane Katrina, international artists from U2 to Kanye West joined New Orleans musicians in benefit concerts to help ensure the city's rich traditions survived.
- E05
The Berlin Wall and the Fall of Communism
Fri, 26 May· 60 minCharting the course of the Cold War in Berlin through music revealing how it helped to sow the seeds of rebellion.
- E06
The Space Race
Fri, 2 June· 60 minNeil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's moonwalk inspired musicians from David Bowie and the Byrds to Parliament-Funkadelic and Sun Ra to imagine a cosmic future for mankind.
- E07
Battle of the Sexes
Fri, 9 June· 60 minBillie Jean King's win against Bobby Riggs in their tennis match was an incredible moment for the women's movement and ushered in music that delivered messages of female empowerment.
- E08
Out, Loud, & Proud
Fri, 16 June· 60 minThe episode tracks the beginning of the gay rights movement in America following the riots at Stonewall Inn and how music has played a vital role in celebrating and preaching tolerance of the LGBT community.