7Wonder to produce People’s History of Pop

The BBC has commissioned 7 Wonder to produce a new interactive history format on five decades of British rock and pop music.

The People’s History of Pop is a 4 part series and online archive of music memorabilia crowdsourced from fans to air across 2016.

Fronted by a different presenter, each film will cover a different decade of music and feature the best of what’s been captured in the virtual archive. It will start with the sixtieth anniversary year: 1956 – the year of skiffle and rock ‘n’ roll, when the love affair with British pop music began and will end at 1996, with a raft of optimistic pop and the hope that ‘things can only get better’.

7 Wonder is working with not-for-profit Historypin, which runs projects with communities to collect memories online, to crowdsource photos and audio and video content of the public’s most cherished music memorabilia. From ticket stubs and diary entries, to teen band recordings, mix tapes, wrist bands, rare footage and more.

The company also plans to attend events and festivals across the country to meet fans in person and capture their stories and memories, some of which will be broadcast on BBC Radio, in collaboration with BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.

Steve Condie, Executive Producer at 7 Wonder says: “We have seen lots of documentaries that celebrate our amazing pop and rock artists but PHOP is telling the story of our musical genius from another point of view – that of the fans for whom this meant so much. With our call out for musical memories and memorabilia and our innovative website we are making a new kind of social history programme and offering everyone a chance to share their part in the musical brilliance which is one of Britain’s greatest achievements.”

The People’s History of Pop was ordered by Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four and commissioned by Jan Younghusband, Head of Commissioning, Music TV. For 7 Wonder Steve Condie is Executive Producer, and both Zoë Jewell and James Giles are Producers/Directors. 7 Wonder is backed by 7 Network Australia.

Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor for BBC Four says: “BBC Four has always been the home of quality music documentaries, which have over the years gathered a passionate audience. In 2016 I am looking forward to getting even closer to our music fans and hearing directly from them. This fantastic new series and initiative is a great way of doing just that.”