Rock Island Line: The Song That Made Britain Rock

In January 1956, a new pop phenomenon appeared in the UK charts: a British artist playing a guitar. His name was Lonnie Donegan and the song he sang was Rock Island Line. Donegan’s rough-and-ready style was at odds with the polished crooners who dominated the charts. He played the guitar in a way that sounded like anyone could do it. Rock Island Line sounded like nothing else on the radio and it inspired a generation of British youths to pick up guitars and begin a journey that would take them to the top of the American charts.

• George ScottDirector

• Billy BraggHimself
• Peggy SeegerHerself
• Shirley CollinsHerself
• Chris BarberHimself
• Hylda SimsHerself
• Ron GouldHimself
• Peter DoneganHimself
• Chas McDevittHimself
• Bob WatsonHimself
• Rod DavisHimself
• Len GarryHimself
• Stephen WinickHimself