Once upon a time, the people of the United States lived in a quaint, white picket fence world where teenagers were polite and well dressed and always said “please” and “thank you.” Think “Ozzie and Harriet” or “Father Knows Best.” Then everything changed.
About 45 years ago, the peaceful shores of America were invaded by a phalanx of musicians from Great Britain. In addition to The Beatles, the country’s teens were exposed to the wild influence of artists like Dusty Springfield, Small Faces, Gerry & The Pacemakers and Herman’s Hermits.
And those artists carried out their fiendish plan of conquest by making multiple appearances on the popular TV shows of the day.
Now those appearances have been collected and transferred to DVD as the British Invasion series.
The first four titles are “Dusty Springfield – Once Upon A Time 1964-1969,” “Small Faces – All Or Nothing 1965-1968,” Gerry & The Pacemakers – It’s Gonna Be All Right 1963-1965” and “Herman’s Hermits – Listen People 1964-1969.”
Each disc features at least 15 archival full-length television performances from the ’60s, filmed during the height of each act’s popularity. In addition, interviews in which original band members discuss the songs and relate anecdotes about the period are scattered throughout each DVD.
All four discs are available separately or as a deluxe box set that includes a bonus disc with additional content.
For complete info on the British Invasion series, including updates on additional titles, visit ReelinInTheYears.com.
Friday, July 31
John Mayer, Josh Groban, Lady Antebellum – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” – rerun
Lamont Dozier, Raphael Saadiq – “The Tavis Smiley Show” – rerun
Jen Kirkman – “Chelsea Lately” – rerun
Colin Mochrie, The Killers – “The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos” – rerun
The Bacon Brothers – “The Bonnie Hunt Show” – rerun
Dave Matthews Band – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Ben Harper & Relentless 7 – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Jimmy Buffett – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Diane Birch – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Crystal Antlers – “Last Call with Carson Daly” – rerun
Saturday, August 1
Wilco – “Austin City Limits” – rerun
Phoenix – “Saturday Night Live” – rerun
Monday, August 3
Joan Rivers – “Live with Regis and Kelly”
Amy Macdonald – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” – rerun
Randy Sklar, Jason Sklar – “Chelsea Lately”
Faryl Smith – “The Bonnie Hunt Show” – rerun
Levon Helm – “Late Show with David Letterman” – rerun
Gomez – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Incubus – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Chester French – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” – rerun
Lisa Landry – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
Brett Dennen – “Last Call with Carson Daly” – rerun