Imagine - The Story of the Guitar

Latest Episodes

• Season 1 Episode 3: This Time it's Personal

  Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, David Gilmour from Pink Floyd, and The Who's Pete Townshend tell Alan Yentob about their relationships with their own guitars and how they each discovered their own unique sound. Former Guns 'N' Roses guitarist Slash, The Smiths' Johnny Marr and The Edge from U2 also describe how the instruments have evolved over the years and what the future may hold. Last in series

• Season 1 Episode 2: Out of the Frying Pan

  Alan Yentob assesses the career of Mississippi slide guitar legend Robert Johnson and investigates how the instrument evolved rapidly in the 1920s and 30s, when electrification solved the amplification problem. Les Paul recalls the impact of the iconic instrument he designed, which is still produced under his name, while Mark Knopfler and Hank Marvin describe the extraordinary influence of the Fender Telecaster and Stratocaster on performers from Cliff Richard to Jimi Hendrix

• Season 1 Episode 1: In The Beginning

  Alan Yentob explores the culture surrounding the instrument, and hears the personal stories of notable players, including John Williams, Paco Pena, Pete Townshend, Bert Weedon and Jack Black. Beginning by investigating its origins, he uses Hittite carvings dating from 3400BC as a starting-point, and traces the story through to the fuzz boxes, effects pedals and signal processors of the 21st century. Part of Guitar Night