American Masters

History Series / 11 Seasons

American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

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No Direction Home: Bob Dylan

35s

Explore musician Bob Dylan's evolution from folk troubadour to iconic rock star. Live concert footage and press conferences from the 1960s and a new interview with Dylan are used to draw a portrait of the legendary singer-songwriter. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this documentary features interviews conducted with Allen Ginsberg, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger and more.

Remembering Don Rickles: Riffs

1m 18s

In this interview outtake, Don Rickles was interviewed for American Masters – Bob Newhart¬ (2005). The legendary insult comic pokes fun at close friend Bob Newhart. Interview conducted by filmmaker Kyra Thompson in April 2005.

Rock and Roll Heart: Lou Reed

30s

Reed was always at the forefront of American avant-garde music, beginning with creation of the Velvet Underground in 1965. Gritty and realistic, the brutal honesty in Reed’s lyrics and sound made him a cultural icon of the disenfranchised throughout the ’60s and ’70s. From punk rock to grunge, he has had an unparalleled influence on the American music scene.

This TV ad shows how bebop wasn't taken seriously

1m

Bebop, a style of jazz developed in the 1940's, changed American music but wasn't taken seriously for much of Charlie Parker's life. This mid-century popcorn television commercial shows how the public's perception of bebop was riddled with stereotypes.

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