Apple TV+ Celebrates the Classics of 1971

From Mick and the boys to Ike and Tina, musical acts that changed the world highlight a new docuseries

It’s no secret that 1971 was both a tumultuous year in history and an extraordinary year for music. That’s the focus of 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything.

This eight-part docuseries from streamer Apple TV+ is an intensive exploration of the musicians and soundtracks that shaped the culture and politics of those 12 months.

Chock full of archival footage and interviews, 1971 delivers an immersive deep dive into how the musical icons of the era were influenced by the changing tides of history—and how these artists then used their new tunes to exert their own influence on culture and society.

The show examines the artists behind songs that still resonate 50 years later, including iconic albums released by The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Marvin Gaye, The Who, Joni Mitchell, Lou Reed, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Elton John and many more.

It was all inspired by David Hepworth’s book 1971: Never a Dull Moment, and executive producer James Gay-Rees explained how the author put it all in perspective for him by dissecting what was taking place culturally and politically during a year that saw the release of a mind-boggling array of albums now considered classics.

“It was a slightly jaw-dropping moment, because the list just seemed to never end, and I couldn’t believe that all those records came out of that one year,” Gay-Rees told Variety. “I mean, some of these months alone are kind of iconic moments for music.”

Addressing the “wonderful interplay between the music and the society of the time,” 1971 strives to answer the question he asked himself: “Why then? Why did music respond so vividly to what was going on in the world then, [that] the music did in fact impact society, as well as society impacting music?”

1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything begins streaming Friday on Apple TV+