BBC Four, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music will all broadcast programmes that celebrate this genre, including a special three-part documentary series narrated by as well as rock-themed radio shows and specials.
© BBC / David Maguire
Don Everly of The Everly Brothers in Rock n Roll America
Rock n Roll America will look at the beginnings of rock music in the USA in the 1950s, before following its explosion around the world with the help of TV appearances by Elvis Presley and culminating with the game-changing arrival of The Beatles in America in 1964.
The Walking Dead actor David Morrissey will narrate the series, which also features exclusive interviews with a number of iconic names in music, including Ben E King, Tom Jones, Ronnie Spector, Jerry Lee Lewis and Don Everly.
The first part of the new documentary series will premiere on BBC Four on July 3, with parts two and three following on July 10 and July 17.
Speaking of the series, BBC Head of Music Television and the series' executive producer Mark Cooper said: "In the decade between 1954 and 1964 so much changed in America – musically and culturally.
"So many of the greats who helped define and kick-start that era are getting to the end of their lives. Now! seemed like the perfect moment to celebrate that magical decade, to examine it journalistically and to try and give a sense of what it felt like to be young and alive and inventing something as new and wild and alive as rock 'n' roll."
© PA Images
Elvis Presley
© Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Buddy Holly
The weeks leading up to the documentary will also see BBC Radio celebrating the rock 'n' roll spirit with a number of dedicated programmes, including Sounds Of The 50s on BBC Radio 2 which launched earlier this month.
Hosted by musician, producer and broadcaster Leo Green, the series pays tribute to some of rock 'n' roll's greatest songs, performers and writers and will feature music by artists such as Elvis Presley, Eddie Cochran and Buddy Holly and the Crickets.
Also in honour of BBC's Rock n Roll America season, BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Lauren Laverne will host a debate next month to discuss what rock 'n' roll music means today with an hour-long programme set to air on BBC Four on July 24.
Noel Gallagher and Dave Grohl are among the music stars set to contribute on the programme, which will also feature music from Mercury Prize winners Young Fathers.
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