Last month I was reading Mark Kermode’s novel ‘How Does it Feel?’, which is a funny and interesing recount of his goal towards becoming a famous popstar. At a certain period of his life, the author enrols in a band that played skiffle, and I thought to myself ‘skiffle! What’s that?’ I hadn’t the slightest idea of what it was, so I googled it up and found, among many other interesting links, the one that I’ve turned into a listening activity for those that are loony about the history of rock bands. The video mentions big names like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and the Rollings, among many others, who had all apparently started off in the showbiz as kids playing skiffle in their sheds or even busking. Anyway, if you feel like doing a listening activity, just click on the button below and let me know if you found it interesting.

Before doing the listening, you might want to watch this video by Knob Town Skiffle Band on Youtube.

Created by blogdeserena

C1-C2 Listening ‘How old-timey skiffle music liberated British rock

You are going to listen to an interview about the influence of Skiffle music on British rock bands. Listen twice and choose the best answer according to what you hear.

Video from PBS News Hour

Activity by Serena

1.Billy Bragg became famous ... 

performing two different types of music during at the beginning of the 80s.

performing punk-rock music during the 60s.

in his fifties performing protest songs.

2.What happened to Lonnie Donegan in the 50s? 

He published a book titled Roots, Radicals and Rockers.

He suffered the consequences of a storm in Britain.

He became very successful.

3.What did British teenagers find most appealing about Lonnie Donegan's music? 

The fact that he played American folk and Jazz music from US.

The opportunity to be different from the older generation.

The fact that he played pop music.

4.When did skiffle music arrive on the British scene? 

Just after WWII.

During the post-war rationing period.

Just after the rationing period had concluded.

5.What does the video mention about James Page from Led Zeppelin? 

He was the only skiffle musician that would become famous.

He became famous playing skiffle music.

That there were many more musicians playing skiffle music that would later become famous.

6. What was the immediate effect of having so many British teenagers playing skiffle? 

The boost of sales in guitars.

A rise in popularity of rock music.

The possibility of seeing them play in live concerts.

7.What does the video mention about Petula Clark? 

That she followed suit of other British musicians touring US.

That she wasn't successful.

That she'd already launched a lot of records.

8.What band does Billy Bragg admit had been the most influential one for his music back in the 70s? 

The Clash.

Lonnie Donegan.

Woody Guthrie.

Your score is

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