Marc Riley's Musical Time Machine

The BBC's archive is justifiably and inarguably world-famous, but most of this attention and praise is showered on the riches contained within the Beeb's music archive - the life-changing Peel performances, seminal sessions from Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and David Bowie.

But these musical marvels risk over-shadowing another archive that's just as diverse, rich and rewarding - the BBC's spoken word, music archive.

As long as there have been pop stars, the BBC has spoken to them. Marc Riley and his trusty Time Machine - a rickety rust-bucket, back-firing jalopy - travel back through the years to visit the great and the good, the famous and the infamous, safely ensconced within the treasure trove of the BBC archive. Marc replays candid snapshots at crucial points in the careers of some of the biggest names in music.

In each episode, Marc lines up the Time Machine to travel to two different points in time and revisit two interviews with something in common - a person or place, a shared influence or ideology, a discovery, a misunderstanding.

In this first of two episodes, the interviews share a geographic connection - Berlin.

David Bowie, in conversation with BBC Radio 1's Stuart Grundy from 1977, explains why the city was so good for his creativity.

The second interview comes from 1990 when Iggy Pop spoke to Nicky Campbell about how he hooked up with Bowie and offered another perspective on their time together in Germany.

Producer: Ian Callaghan

A Smooth Operations production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2015.

Marc Riley explores the BBC archive to unearth interviews with David Bowie and Iggy Pop.

Marc Riley unearths archive music interviews that share something in common.

The BBC's archive is justifiably and inarguably world-famous, but most of this attention and praise is showered on the riches contained within the Beeb's music archive - the life-changing Peel performances, seminal sessions from Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and David Bowie.

But these musical marvels risk over-shadowing another archive that's just as diverse, rich and rewarding - the BBC's spoken word, music archive.

As long as there have been pop stars, the BBC has spoken to them. Marc Riley and his trusty Time Machine - a rickety rust-bucket, back-firing jalopy - travel back through the years to visit the great and the good, the famous and the infamous, safely ensconced within the treasure trove of the BBC archive. Marc replays candid snapshots at crucial points in the careers of some of the biggest names in music.

In each episode, Marc lines up the Time Machine to travel to two different points in time and revisit two interviews with something in common - a person or place, a shared influence or ideology, a discovery, a misunderstanding.

In this first of two episodes, the interviews share a geographic connection - Berlin.

David Bowie, in conversation with BBC Radio 1's Stuart Grundy from 1977, explains why the city was so good for his creativity.

The second interview comes from 1990 when Iggy Pop spoke to Nicky Campbell about how he hooked up with Bowie and offered another perspective on their time together in Germany.

Producer: Ian Callaghan

A Smooth Operations production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2015.

Marc Riley explores the BBC archive to unearth interviews with David Bowie and Iggy Pop.

Marc Riley unearths archive music interviews that share something in common.

But these musical marvels risk over-shadowing another archive that's just as diverse, rich and rewarding - the BBC's spoken word, music archive.

As long as there have been pop stars, the BBC has spoken to them. Marc Riley and his trusty Time Machine - a rickety rust-bucket, back-firing jalopy - travel back through the years to visit the great and the good, the famous and the infamous, safely ensconced within the treasure trove of the BBC archive. Marc replays candid snapshots at crucial points in the careers of some of the biggest names in music.

In each episode, Marc lines up the Time Machine to travel to two different points in time and revisit two interviews with something in common - a person or place, a shared influence or ideology, a discovery, a misunderstanding.

In the last of two episodes, the featured interviewees share a fierce rivalry.

Both artists were intent on creating grown-up rock 'n roll, both pushed the boundaries of rock music. Both were anti-establishment, both were anti-hippy. Both were the kings of their exciting new scenes - one in New York, one in LA. Yet, despite the similarities and the common ground, each loathed the other.

First there's Frank Zappa in conversation with BBC Radio 1's Andy Batten-Foster from 1984, while the second interview comes from a 1992 interview by Johnnie Walker with Lou Reed.

Producer: Ian Callaghan

A Smooth Operations production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2015.

Marc Riley delves into the BBC archive to unearth interviews with Frank Zappa and Lou Reed

Marc Riley unearths archive music interviews that share something in common.

The BBC's archive is justifiably and inarguably world-famous, but most of this attention and praise is showered on the riches contained within the Beeb's music archive - the life-changing Peel performances, seminal sessions from Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and David Bowie.

But these musical marvels risk over-shadowing another archive that's just as diverse, rich and rewarding - the BBC's spoken word, music archive.

As long as there have been pop stars, the BBC has spoken to them. Marc Riley and his trusty Time Machine - a rickety rust-bucket, back-firing jalopy - travel back through the years to visit the great and the good, the famous and the infamous, safely ensconced within the treasure trove of the BBC archive. Marc replays candid snapshots at crucial points in the careers of some of the biggest names in music.

In each episode, Marc lines up the Time Machine to travel to two different points in time and revisit two interviews with something in common - a person or place, a shared influence or ideology, a discovery, a misunderstanding.

In the last of two episodes, the featured interviewees share a fierce rivalry.

Both artists were intent on creating grown-up rock 'n roll, both pushed the boundaries of rock music. Both were anti-establishment, both were anti-hippy. Both were the kings of their exciting new scenes - one in New York, one in LA. Yet, despite the similarities and the common ground, each loathed the other.

First there's Frank Zappa in conversation with BBC Radio 1's Andy Batten-Foster from 1984, while the second interview comes from a 1992 interview by Johnnie Walker with Lou Reed.

Producer: Ian Callaghan

A Smooth Operations production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2015.

Marc Riley delves into the BBC archive to unearth interviews with Frank Zappa and Lou Reed

Marc Riley unearths archive music interviews that share something in common.

The BBC's archive is justifiably and inarguably world-famous, but most of this attention and praise is showered on the musical riches it contains - all those life-changing Peel performances, seminal sessions from Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and so on. But there's another archive that's just as diverse and rich and rewarding - the BBC's spoken work archive.

As long as there have been pop stars, the BBC has spoken to them. Here, Marc Riley and his trusty Time Machine will steer you back through the years to visit the great and the good, the famous and the infamous. In each episode, Marc travels to two different points in time and revisits two interviews that have something in common - a person or place, a shared influence or ideology, a discovery or a misunderstanding.

In this episode, we hear from two musicians who, on the surface, appeared to have little in common - Lemmy of Motorhead was a long haired, unreconstructed rock 'n' roller; Joe Strummer of The Clash, despite being the son of a diplomat, was a polemical firebrand and a musical magpie.

But in truth, they both had a similar ethos. Both were fiercely passionate about music and proud of their musical integrity. Both felt connected with, and appealed to, disaffected working class teenagers of the late 1970s. Both lived in squats in West London at the start of their musical careers. And both found early appeal within the burgeoning punk scene.

The Lemmy interview comes from 1991 and he tells Tommy Vance about his reading habits, his love of history and why rock 'n' roll shouldn't aspire to be art. The Joe Strummer interview dates from ten years earlier and covers his political ideologies, The Clash's refusal to appear on Top Of The Pops and their sometimes shambolic business acumen.

A Smooth Operations production for BBC Radio 4.

Marc Riley raids the BBC archive and finds interviews with Lemmy and Joe Strummer.

Marc Riley unearths archive music interviews that share something in common.

The BBC's archive is justifiably and inarguably world-famous, but most of this attention and praise is showered on the musical riches it contains - all those life-changing Peel performances, seminal sessions from Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and so on. But there's another archive that's just as diverse and rich and rewarding - the BBC's spoken work archive.

As long as there have been pop stars, the BBC has spoken to them. Here, Marc Riley and his trusty Time Machine will steer you back through the years to visit the great and the good, the famous and the infamous. In each episode, Marc travels to two different points in time and revisits two interviews that have something in common - a person or place, a shared influence or ideology, a discovery or a misunderstanding.

In this episode, we hear from two musicians who, on the surface, appeared to have little in common - Lemmy of Motorhead was a long haired, unreconstructed rock 'n' roller; Joe Strummer of The Clash, despite being the son of a diplomat, was a polemical firebrand and a musical magpie.

But in truth, they both had a similar ethos. Both were fiercely passionate about music and proud of their musical integrity. Both felt connected with, and appealed to, disaffected working class teenagers of the late 1970s. Both lived in squats in West London at the start of their musical careers. And both found early appeal within the burgeoning punk scene.

The Lemmy interview comes from 1991 and he tells Tommy Vance about his reading habits, his love of history and why rock 'n' roll shouldn't aspire to be art. The Joe Strummer interview dates from ten years earlier and covers his political ideologies, The Clash's refusal to appear on Top Of The Pops and their sometimes shambolic business acumen.

A Smooth Operations production for BBC Radio 4.

Marc Riley raids the BBC archive and finds interviews with Lemmy and Joe Strummer.

Marc Riley unearths archive music interviews that share something in common.

The BBC's archive is justifiably and inarguably world-famous, but most of this attention and praise is showered on the musical riches it contains - all those life-changing Peel performances, seminal sessions from Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and so on. But there's another archive that's just as diverse and rich and rewarding - the BBC's spoken work archive.

As long as there have been pop stars, the BBC has spoken to them. Here, Marc Riley and his trusty Time Machine will steer you back through the years to visit the great and the good, the famous and the infamous. In each episode, Marc travels to two different points in time and revisits two interviews that have something in common - a person or place, a shared influence or ideology, a discovery or a misunderstanding.

In this second episode of the series, we'll hear from two icons of the punk movement - Malcolm McLaren and John Lydon - who endured something of a combative, combustible relationship. It's always evident when Lydon's asked about his time in The Sex Pistols, as Radio 1's Roger Scott does in this 1989 interview. Meanwhile, in the company of David "The Kid" Jensen, Lydon's nemesis Malcolm McLaren is more than happy to spew highbrow hyperbole about how rock 'n' roll's roots lay in "darkest Africa" and it's a pagan and anti-Christian music, where you're better "learning to think with your hips, rather than with your head". He also admits that his original intention and hopes for the fledgling Pistols was to create a band to compete with The Bay City Rollers - which Lydon confirms in his chat with Roger Scott.

Both McLaren and Lydon prove to be a fascinating, frank and funny listen.

A Smooth Operations production for BBC Radio 4.

Marc Riley raids the BBC archive for interviews with Malcolm McLaren and John Lydon.

Marc Riley unearths archive music interviews that share something in common.

The BBC's archive is justifiably and inarguably world-famous, but most of this attention and praise is showered on the musical riches it contains - all those life-changing Peel performances, seminal sessions from Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and so on. But there's another archive that's just as diverse and rich and rewarding - the BBC's spoken work archive.

As long as there have been pop stars, the BBC has spoken to them. Here, Marc Riley and his trusty Time Machine will steer you back through the years to visit the great and the good, the famous and the infamous. In each episode, Marc travels to two different points in time and revisits two interviews that have something in common - a person or place, a shared influence or ideology, a discovery or a misunderstanding.

In this second episode of the series, we'll hear from two icons of the punk movement - Malcolm McLaren and John Lydon - who endured something of a combative, combustible relationship. It's always evident when Lydon's asked about his time in The Sex Pistols, as Radio 1's Roger Scott does in this 1989 interview. Meanwhile, in the company of David "The Kid" Jensen, Lydon's nemesis Malcolm McLaren is more than happy to spew highbrow hyperbole about how rock 'n' roll's roots lay in "darkest Africa" and it's a pagan and anti-Christian music, where you're better "learning to think with your hips, rather than with your head". He also admits that his original intention and hopes for the fledgling Pistols was to create a band to compete with The Bay City Rollers - which Lydon confirms in his chat with Roger Scott.

Both McLaren and Lydon prove to be a fascinating, frank and funny listen.

A Smooth Operations production for BBC Radio 4.

Marc Riley raids the BBC archive for interviews with Malcolm McLaren and John Lydon.

Marc Riley unearths archive music interviews that share something in common.

The BBC's archive is justifiably and inarguably world-famous, but most of this attention and praise is showered on the musical riches it contains - all those life-changing Peel performances, seminal sessions from Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and so on. But there's another archive that's just as diverse and rich and rewarding - the BBC's spoken work archive.

As long as there have been pop stars, the BBC has spoken to them. Here, Marc Riley and his trusty Time Machine will steer you back through the years to visit the great and the good, the famous and the infamous. In each episode, Marc travels to two different points in time and revisits two interviews that have something in common - a person or place, a shared influence or ideology, a discovery or a misunderstanding.

In this first episode of the series, we hear from Marc Bolan and Joni Mitchell. Although the two interviewees may seem poles apart, in fact they had much in common. Both came out of the late-Sixties musical underground and they both started as acoustic singer-writers before heading into glam-pop territory (Bolan) and world music and jazz (Mitchell).

We find Marc Bolan in conversation with Radio 1's John Pidgeon from 1973, as he talks about the financial hardships of being part of the late Sixties counter-culture scene - a scene not quite as glamorous as often portrayed. And then we hear Joni Mitchell in conversation with Richard Skinner, from 1983, where she not only discusses the counter-culture from the American perspective - as vividly portrayed in her own song Woodstock - but also how fame has impacted her life.

A Smooth Operations production for BBC Radio 4.

Marc Riley dips into the archive and finds interviews with Marc Bolan and Joni Mitchell.

Marc Riley unearths archive music interviews that share something in common.

The BBC's archive is justifiably and inarguably world-famous, but most of this attention and praise is showered on the musical riches it contains - all those life-changing Peel performances, seminal sessions from Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and so on. But there's another archive that's just as diverse and rich and rewarding - the BBC's spoken work archive.

As long as there have been pop stars, the BBC has spoken to them. Here, Marc Riley and his trusty Time Machine will steer you back through the years to visit the great and the good, the famous and the infamous. In each episode, Marc travels to two different points in time and revisits two interviews that have something in common - a person or place, a shared influence or ideology, a discovery or a misunderstanding.

In this first episode of the series, we hear from Marc Bolan and Joni Mitchell. Although the two interviewees may seem poles apart, in fact they had much in common. Both came out of the late-Sixties musical underground and they both started as acoustic singer-writers before heading into glam-pop territory (Bolan) and world music and jazz (Mitchell).

We find Marc Bolan in conversation with Radio 1's John Pidgeon from 1973, as he talks about the financial hardships of being part of the late Sixties counter-culture scene - a scene not quite as glamorous as often portrayed. And then we hear Joni Mitchell in conversation with Richard Skinner, from 1983, where she not only discusses the counter-culture from the American perspective - as vividly portrayed in her own song Woodstock - but also how fame has impacted her life.

A Smooth Operations production for BBC Radio 4.

Marc Riley dips into the archive and finds interviews with Marc Bolan and Joni Mitchell.

Marc Riley unearths archive music interviews that share something in common.

1/6. The Sex Pistols

This week the Time Machine travels back to 1977, and Sid Vicious joins band mate Johnny Rotten to chat with Radio 1 presenter John Tobler about their new album - Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols.

We play back key parts of the interview and also speak to Tobler about how he feels about the Pistols interview 30 years on.

Sid Vicious joins band mate Johnny Rotten to chat with Radio 1 presenter John Tobler.

Marc Riley dips into the BBC's archives and unearths seminal rock interviews

Marc Riley dips into the BBC's archives and unearths seminal rock interviews

Marc Riley dips into the BBC's archives and unearths seminal rock interviews

Then in 1980, Captain Beefheart came into Radio 1 to speak to David Hepworth. Revered as one of the most creative and daring musicians of his era, his impact on other artists is seen as incalculable. The Captain talks about his love of living in the Mohave Desert, his passion for painting and discusses his favourite poets.

Archive interviews from 1976 by Tina Turner and from 1980 by Captain Beefheart.

Marc Riley dips into the BBC's archives and unearths seminal rock interviews

Marc Riley dips into the BBC's archives and unearths seminal rock interviews

It's funny how things can look so different many years down the line; once the dust has settled, tempers have calmed and much water has gone under the bridge. Not seeking to open old wounds or anything, Marc Riley goes back in time to the turning points in the careers of some of the biggest artists in music to check out exactly what they DID say in the heat of the moment, and to put it into today's context....

Programme 1 - Brian Epstein

In our first episode we travel back to witness the year that Nelson Mandela was jailed for life, when the Sun newspaper was born and when the British and French Governments announced their commitment to build a tunnel under the English Channel.

This week Marc transports us back into a different era... the start of the pop revolution when Beatlemania was about to take over the world.

It's March 1964 and Bill Grundy interviews the '5th Beatle', manager Brian Epstein for his regional radio programme Frankly Speaking. We revisit the BBC's archives and hear Epstein speak candidly about how and when he discovered the Beatles and what it was like seeing them perform for the first time. He reveals his role in their image change, just exactly what it is a manager does and his theories on why they'd go on to be a success in America. Plus Brian tells us how he reacted when Paul turned up late for their first meeting.

Marc Riley looks back to 1964 at an interview with the '5th Beatle', manager Brian Epstein

Marc Riley dips into the BBC's archives and unearths seminal rock interviews

It's funny how things can look so different many years down the line; once the dust has settled, tempers have calmed and much water has gone under the bridge. Not seeking to open old wounds or anything, Marc Riley goes back in time to the turning points in the careers of some of the biggest artists in music to check out exactly what they DID say in the heat of the moment, and to put it into today's context.

This week we travel back to 1973; the year that President Nixon ordered a ceasefire in Vietnam, the Stock Exchange admitted women for the first time, and Princess Anne married Lieutenant Mark Phillips.

It was also the year that Radio 1 broadcast interviews with Pete Townshend in a series called The Story Of Pop. Presented by Alan Freeman the 26 part show featured a big mix of musicians talking about the history of popular music.

At a time when The Who were just about to release Quadrophenia, Marc revisits Townshend's take on the industry, Woodstock, the Kinks and the Mods.

Marc Riley travels back to 1973 and an interview with Pete Townshend.

Marc Riley dips into the BBC's archives and unearths seminal rock interviews

It's also the year that John Tobler spoke to Debbie Harry and Chris Stein just before Blondie broke in the UK with the release of Denis. We replay uncut extracts from an interview that was broadcast on Radio 1's Rock On show on November 5 1977.

Debbie and Chris discuss the early bands they were in, the New York scene, meeting Phil Spector and their disgust at a Donna Summer record.

Marc Riley dips into the BBC's archives and unearths an interview with Blondie from 1977.

Marc Riley dips into the BBC's archives and unearths seminal rock interviews

In July of 1993 rock god Ian Gillan agreed to an interview with Claire Sturgess for Radio 1. In his typical entertaining style, Gillan tells us about his year with Black Sabbath and how they inspired much of the film Spinal Tap. He also reveals how he took to the rock 'n roll lifestyle and his legendary, long-running feud with Deep Purple band mate Ritchie Blackmore.

Marc Riley revisits a BBC archive interview from 1993 with rock star Ian Gillan.

Marc Riley dips into the BBC's archives and unearths seminal rock interviews

Also in 1992, pop star Cher found herself talking to Radio 1's Simon Bates following the success of her recent number one The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss). We hear a confessional Cher reflecting on her relationships with musicians Sonny Bono and Gregg Allman; her thoughts on I Got You Babe and the stardom it brought her; plus what it was like growing up in an idyllic California with two imaginary friends.

Marc travels back to 1992 for an interview between Cher and BBC Radio 1's Simon Bates.

Marc Riley dips into the BBC's archives and unearths seminal rock interviews

In this, the last episode of the series, we hear what happened when Stuart Maconie interviewed the reluctant and revered pop star Scott Walker for Radio 4's art programme Kaleidoscope. Famed for being one third of the Walker Brothers, and known for classics like The Sun Aint Gonna Shine Anymore and Make It Easy On Yourself, he'd known massive success in the 60s but following the bands break-up he had become increasingly enigmatic and reclusive.

In May 1995 he had just emerged from an eleven year hibernation following the release of his twelfth record Tilt. We hear him discuss the European influence on his American sensibility, his writing technique and his notions of crime and punishment.

Marc Riley looks at an archive interview between Stuart Maconie and Scott Walker from 1995

Marc Riley dips into the BBC's archives and unearths seminal rock interviews