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Protests were widespread as America fought in Vietnam. And, against this backdrop of unrest, rockers like Boston, REO Speedwagon and Styx came to rule the airwaves.

Explore the shift into songwriting. Its emergence in the 1960s amid political change paved the way for great artists like Cat Stevens and James Taylor.

As de-industrialisation began in the 1960s, anger grew, and music from the Flower Power movement started to lose relevance with the public, sparking the emergence of metal.

The 60s saw A-list bands fronted by artists such as Grace Slick and Janis Joplin. And the women's liberation movement birthed more female rockers like Suzi Quatro.

Folk music gained its power with acts like The Freedom Singers focusing on the Civil Rights Movement, paving the way for legends like Joan Baez and Pete Seeger.

A look at the explosion of British heavy metal music and the headbanging era that gave rise to bands like Judas Priest, Saxon and Iron Maiden.

A walk through the journey of soul music, which started as uplifting black gospel music and grew into the music we love from artists like Billy Ocean.

Dive deeper into US heavy metal and the hooks and melodic choruses that give it its distinctive sound. Featuring a look at Motley Crue, Poison and Ratt.

A look at the evolution of progressive rock. As the 70s dawned, bands were freed from the limitations of four-minute songs and began to create more complex music.

Jump in to the world of jazz rock, one of the more ambitious rock subgenres of the 60s and 70s. Featuring artists such as Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers.

Head back to 60s SoCal and the birth of soft rock, full of simple melodies and big, lush productions. Expect music from the likes of Supertramp and ELO.

An look at the origins of British R'n'B, dating back to the 1950s jazz and folk movements, and paving the way for bands like Blues Incorporated.

A look at the Pop Rock sound of the 70s and 80s, and the bands that embraced this blend of punk minimalism and pop melodies such as The Cars and Huey Lewis and the News.

The series continues with an explanation of the unique and distinctive sound of psychedelic rock. With music from The Moody Blues and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

The Chicago Blues sound replaced acoustic instruments with amplified versions, birthing a movement that stars such as Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters embraced.