Watch 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything

1971 was a year of immense change in the world of music. A year where established artists challenged themselves to push the envelope with new sounds, and where new young voices emerged, creating a sound that would define an era. Apple TV+ has brought to the screen, the six-part music documentary series, "1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything," which captures this unique period in musical history through an inspiring blend of archive footage, unseen photos, and interviews with some of the biggest names in music.

The show, which premiered on May 21, 2021, is a stirring examination of the cultural, social, and technological changes that influenced the music scene of the time. The series explores the year in question in great detail, starting with the political and social landscape of the late 60s and early 70s, which set the stage for the momentous creative choices that would transform music culture forever.

Narrated by actress Julianne Moore, the series features a range of interviews from some of the biggest names in music, including Elton John, Graham Nash, Ringo Starr, and many others. These artists share their stories of what it was like to be in the thick of it during the year that music changed everything. Their recollections of the era are interwoven with remarkable footage of live performances, cinematic newsreels, and animation, all set against the backdrop of the rapidly evolving world that influenced the sound of music.

The series takes an investigative approach to the history of music in 1971. As the genre expanded, so did the topics of the songs. The show highlights the importance of music in politics, and explores how songs tackled themes such as social justice, environmentalism, and civil rights. Some of the most famous songs of the year, such as Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," John Lennon's "Imagine" and David Bowie's "Changes," are given a detailed analysis of their social and cultural context.

One of the key themes of the series is the role of technology in music. 1971 was a year of rapid innovation, with the creation of the Moog synthesizer, which had a profound effect on the musical landscape. The series explores how the Moog allowed musicians to create entirely new sounds that had never been heard before, giving rise to new genres such as prog rock and disco.

The series also shines a light on the era's indie scenes, highlighting the significance of the DIY approach in music. Punk, garage rock, and other sub-genres were born out of this resistance to the corporate way of making music. Through these scenes, the series delivers a message of how important it is to have diversity in music and how it affects its impact on the world of culture and society.

One of the most impressive aspects of the show is how it captures not just the year, but the spirit of the era. The producers set out to embrace the excitement and turbulent times of the year in question and have succeeded in creating a portrait of one of the most vibrant times in musical history.

Overall, "1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything" is a must-watch show for music enthusiasts, not just because of the nostalgic trip down the memory lane it provides but also as an examination of how this singular year played a significant role in the evolution of popular music. This authoritative and ardent documentary series turns the cultural microscope to a single year in popular music history, casting it as a transformative one that forever changed the trajectory of the art form. It is an impeccably crafted series that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the year 1971 and the artists who created music that became the soundtrack of a generation.

1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (8 episodes). The series first aired on May 21, 2021.