Brian Pern

Prog-rock legend and inventor of world music Brian Pern takes us on an imagined journey through the last half-century of rock music. In part one, Pern investigates rock's prehistoric origins, asks who was the smartest band and reminisces about dressing up as a crab.

Brian looks at rock stars who turn to acting (himself included), charity singles and protest songs. Noel Edmonds reveals for the first time how the Russians tried to take down the Concorde containing Phil Collins on his way to Live Aid in Philadelphia.

Brian looks at what breaks up bands, from drink and drugs to creative tension. Plus rock stars who want to save the world and the state of music today as the series draws to a close. With cameos from John Humphrys and the one and only Peter Gabriel.

Brian Pern is an ageing rock star and former frontman of the progressive rock group Thotch. He and his bandmates reunite to discuss the making of their first ever jukebox musical, Stowe Boys. This is not easy as they hate each other. Not only that, on the opening night of the musical, Brian is unexpectedly arrested by officers from Operation Bad Apples for a crime he doesn't know he has committed. Will he make the second half?

It is the tenth anniversary of the twentieth anniversary of the fifth anniversary of the first anniversary of the non-release of his solo album - Brian Pern's Musical Version of the Day of the Triffids. To celebrate, Brian plans to stage the entire album live from the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro with a host of special guests. As ever, nothing goes according to plan.

The final episode of the series follows Brian Pern as he records a charity Christmas record in aid of bipolar polar bears. Brian's health problems come to a head when he discovers that he has invested millions in an aggressive tax avoidance scheme and the HMRC want their money back. This isn't going to be a merry Christmas.