BOASTING a level of access that's unimaginable today, junior BBC film-maker Tony Palmer set out to document the birth pangs of rock music as it muscled its way onto the cultural landscape in 1968.

Paul McCartney, Frank Zappa, Eric Burdon, Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend and Donovan - all of them in their creative prime - tell Palmer how their world is taking shape. Beatles publicist Derek Taylor places it all in context, while Tin Pan Alley hangover Eddie Rogers bemoans the shock of the new and author Anthony Burgess fails to recognise the revolution. All the while, Palmer cuts away to horrific scenes from Vietnam and the US race riots.

A brilliant piece of work.