Bob Smeaton

Directing

Bob Smeaton

Place of birth

Newcastle, Regno Unito

Known for

Directing

Credits

38 titles

Known for

Travelin' Band: Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall poster
6.8

Featuring never-before-seen concert footage and narration by Jeff Bridges, this documentary explores CCR's humble origins and meteoric rise. It includes the entire set recorded at the Royal Albert Hall on April 14th, 1970.

Travelin' Band: Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall

2022

No artwork available
9.0

Quayside was a soap opera, based around the lives of young people living on the Newcastle Quayside produced by Zenith North Television and aired in 1997 on Tyne Tees Television in the North East England and Yorkshire Television in Yorkshire. Tyne Tees Television produced this soap opera as a venture into it becoming a regional soap opera alongside the larger soaps such as Coronation Street and EastEnders despite Tyne Tees not actually having a licence commitment to regional drama. Directed and produced by Matthew Robinson it starred Joe Caffrey, Emma Louise Webb and other North East actors, many of whom had appeared or went on to appear in Byker Grove and other local programmes. Despite receiving 40% of the audience share when it started, ratings began to fall primarily due to its position in the schedules. It aired once-weekly at 7.30pm, a slot which is traditionally dedicated to local programming and resulted being alongside EastEnders on BBC One.

Quayside

1997

Spice Girls: Giving You Everything poster
9.7

The Spice Girls are the most successful girl group of all time. They have sold 55 million CDs worldwide, had nine No.1 singles and had the biggest selling single ever by an all female group. Although there have been many documentaries, books and articles about the Spice Girls, the girls themselves have never told their story. Until now... This is the story of the Spice Girls, told by the Spice Girls - the story from inside the eye of the hurricane, the story of the greatest pop phenomenon since The Beatles. From their pre-Spice Girl days, the forming of the group, the early struggles, their first taste of success, world domination, the break up, the aftermath and their subsequent solo careers and lives. Their recollections form an intriguing and revealing narrative along with archive footage from around the globe which illustrates the time when the Spice Girls ruled the world and how they are soon to re-claim their place as the most talked about group on the planet.

Spice Girls: Giving You Everything

2007

Classic Albums: The Doors poster
7.7

A future classic was unleashed in January 1967 as the Doors released their eponymously titled debut album. This documentary in the Classic Albums series takes an in-depth look at the album, with commentary from Bruce Botnick, who worked on the album, and the three remaining Doors--guitarist Robbie Krieger, keyboard player Ray Manzarek, and drummer John Densmore. The three band members also play some of their instrumental parts from the album, offering invaluable insight into how the songs were constructed.

Classic Albums: The Doors

2008

And a Nightingale Sang poster
5.2

Set in working class Newcastle, the Stott family fight their private battles against the backdrop of the conflict of World War II. Helen Stott, over thirty and with a limp, is resigned to being left on the shelf until she meets and falls in love with Norman, a serviceman from London. In contrast, her younger sister Joyce has quite a way with men, and finds herself a little too popular with the troops, especially when her husband pops up on leave from his regiment.

And a Nightingale Sang

1989

Classic Albums: The Who - Who's Next poster
7.5

In this 1999 documentary, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle discuss the making of what many consider the Who's greatest testament to Townshend's songwriting talent: their classic album "Who's Next." Others close to the group weigh in with insights about the late Keith Moon's importance to the band. The retrospective also features unseen performances of tunes from the platter, including "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Baba O'Riley."

Classic Albums: The Who - Who's Next

1999

Film credits

Series credits

Behind the camera

Travelin' Band: Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall poster
6.8

Featuring never-before-seen concert footage and narration by Jeff Bridges, this documentary explores CCR's humble origins and meteoric rise. It includes the entire set recorded at the Royal Albert Hall on April 14th, 1970.

Travelin' Band: Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall

2022

Spice Girls: Giving You Everything poster
9.7

The Spice Girls are the most successful girl group of all time. They have sold 55 million CDs worldwide, had nine No.1 singles and had the biggest selling single ever by an all female group. Although there have been many documentaries, books and articles about the Spice Girls, the girls themselves have never told their story. Until now... This is the story of the Spice Girls, told by the Spice Girls - the story from inside the eye of the hurricane, the story of the greatest pop phenomenon since The Beatles. From their pre-Spice Girl days, the forming of the group, the early struggles, their first taste of success, world domination, the break up, the aftermath and their subsequent solo careers and lives. Their recollections form an intriguing and revealing narrative along with archive footage from around the globe which illustrates the time when the Spice Girls ruled the world and how they are soon to re-claim their place as the most talked about group on the planet.

Spice Girls: Giving You Everything

2007

Classic Albums: The Doors poster
7.7

A future classic was unleashed in January 1967 as the Doors released their eponymously titled debut album. This documentary in the Classic Albums series takes an in-depth look at the album, with commentary from Bruce Botnick, who worked on the album, and the three remaining Doors--guitarist Robbie Krieger, keyboard player Ray Manzarek, and drummer John Densmore. The three band members also play some of their instrumental parts from the album, offering invaluable insight into how the songs were constructed.

Classic Albums: The Doors

2008

Classic Albums: The Who - Who's Next poster
7.5

In this 1999 documentary, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle discuss the making of what many consider the Who's greatest testament to Townshend's songwriting talent: their classic album "Who's Next." Others close to the group weigh in with insights about the late Keith Moon's importance to the band. The retrospective also features unseen performances of tunes from the platter, including "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Baba O'Riley."

Classic Albums: The Who - Who's Next

1999

Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child poster
7.2

Seattle, WA EMP brings viewers inside the ground-breaking story of one man, his music and the world that embraced him with the two-hour documentary special "Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child,"

Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child

2010

Queen: Is This the Real Life? poster
8.0

Documentary, made specially for TV, featuring exclusive interviews and some previously unseen photographs.

Queen: Is This the Real Life?

1999

Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road poster
6.9

The worlds of glitz, glam, and pop-rock fused immortally on Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, born of the formidable partnership of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. This 1973 double album may well have been the peak of their collaboration. Ranging from perennial favorites like "Candle in the Wind," "Bennie and the Jets," and the title track to more ambitious compositions like "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" and everything in between, Goodbye is unmatched in its depth and scope. This entry in the Classic Albums series of DVDs documents the often tumultuous writing and recording sessions for that masterpiece through vintage clips of the musicians in the studio and new interviews with Elton, Bernie, producer Gus Dudgeon, and the band members. We may never know how the John-Taupin team achieved their magic, but this release offers a both a peek at the process and a few reasons why the album endures today.

Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

2001

Classic Albums: Lou Reed - Transformer poster
6.5

In 1972, Lou Reed's second solo album Transformer elevated him from a minor cult figure to one of the best known and most talked about artists in rock & roll, with its incisive portrait of the demimonde and the distinctive hit single "Walk on the Wild Side." Classic Albums: Lou Reed -- Transformer offers a look at the making of this landmark album, with Lou Reed and engineer Ken Scott offering an in-depth perspective on the recording sessions, and Herbie Flowers revealing how he came up with his memorable bass line for "Walk on the Wild Side."

Classic Albums: Lou Reed - Transformer

2001

Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train a Comin' poster
7.4

An account of the short life of genius musician Jimi Hendrix (1942-70), probably the most talented and influential guitarist of the twentieth century: his humble beginnings in Seattle, his time in New York, his rise to fame in swinging London… Live fast, love hard, die young.

Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train a Comin'

2013

The Making of the Beatles First U.S. Visit poster
NR

A documentary about the making of the film "The Beatles: The First U.S. Visit"

The Making of the Beatles First U.S. Visit

2004

Pink Floyd: Behind the Wall poster
7.3

Members and crew members of the band Pink Floyd tell the story of their band up to their historic performance of The Wall at Earls Court.

Pink Floyd: Behind the Wall

2000

The Who - Who's Next 1971-2023 poster
8.0

The Who's landmark album, Who's Next, in a new remix by Steven Wilson, featuring bonus tracks from the 10 disc super deluxe box set. Includes stereo, 5.1, and Atmos mixes.

The Who - Who's Next 1971-2023

1999

Festival Express poster
7.2

The filmed account of a large Canadian rock festival train tour boasting major acts. In the summer of 1970, a chartered train crossed Canada carrying some of the world's greatest rock bands. The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Band, Buddy Guy, and others lived (and partied) together for five days, stopping in major cities along the way to play live concerts. Their journey was filmed.

Festival Express

2003

Classic Albums: Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell poster
7.9

Never one for understatement, the aptly named singer known as Meat Loaf (aka Marvin Lee Aday) teamed with operatically-minded pianist-composer Jim Steinman to produce a bombastic slab of 1970s classic rock that has become one of the biggest selling albums of all time. Fueled by Steinman's epic compositions, Todd Rundgren's grandiose production, and Meat Loaf's own soaring vocals, the singer's 1977 debut BAT OUT OF HELL elevated the rock-opera genre to appropriately theatrical heights with its extravagant orchestration and a melodramatic narrative celebrating teenage rebellion. This episode of the CLASSIC ALBUMS series recounts the making of this monumental work through interviews, archival footage, and live performances of album tracks such as "You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth," "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad," and, of course, the adolescent opus "Paradise by the Dashboard Light."

Classic Albums: Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell

1999

The Jam: About The Young Idea poster
8.0

Sky Arts presents the definitive story of The Jam, one of the most successful British bands in rock history, who were at the forefront of the late 1970s punk-mod scene. Featuring exclusive interviews with Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler, and richly illustrated with archive performances, this documentary, directed by Bob Smeaton, traces the band's formation and success between 1975 and 1982, and is set against the backdrop of the ever changing politics, fashion and attitudes that shaped the period of late 70s and early 80s.

The Jam: About The Young Idea

2015

Classic Albums: Nirvana - Nevermind poster
7.0

Nirvana's groundbreaking 1991 album NEVERMIND raised the Seattle trio to the status of Godhead, forever changing the face of the pop music market. "Here we are now, entertain us" may have come and gone as a catch-phrase, but as an insight into a generation's bitterly restless tide, it ranks right up there with "I can't get no satisfaction." Part of the CLASSIC ALBUMS series, this release sheds new light on the production and legacy of NEVERMIND through revealing interviews with industry insiders. With unprecedented openness, remaining band members Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl discuss the production of individual songs, and tell amusing anecdotes about the band's financial struggles just before making it big. In addition, NEVERMIND producer Butch Vig invites viewers into his studio, where he dissects and examines each of the album's tracks. By isolating, examining, and reassembling each instrument and vocal track, Vig is able to recreate the manner in which the album was produced.

Classic Albums: Nirvana - Nevermind

2005

Jimi Hendrix: The Dick Cavett Show poster
8.0

The complete collection of Jimi Hendrix's celebrated appearances on The Dick Cavett Show. The Dick Cavett Show marked Jimi's US network television debut and this special documentary, directed by multiple Grammy Award winner Bob Smeaton, features complete live performances of "Izabella", "Machine Gun", and "Hear My Train A Comin'" as well as new interviews with Cavett, Experience band members Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox, and others. Jimi's own insightful interviews with Cavett touched upon a variety of personal and professional issues ranging from his stint as a US Army paratrooper to his celebrated rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" at the Woodstock Festival. These conversations with Cavett helped reveal the humor, passion, and intelligence of the man behind such rock classics as Are You Experienced and Electric Ladyland.

Jimi Hendrix: The Dick Cavett Show

1969

Genesis | Songbook poster
7.8

When Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford joined forces in the late sixties, their intentions were not to be recording artists but rather songwriters. That initial plan soon fell by the wayside when they secured a record deal and became Genesis, progressing from the underground scene with such albums as "Trespass" and "Nursery Cryme," to become household names with the addition of drummer/singer Phil Collins and such chart topping albums as "We Can't Dance" and "Invisible Touch." By talking to the individual members of the group, discover what they consider to be their favorite Genesis songs, and why certain songs have a special place in the Genesis story. Song include: I Can't Dance, Invisible Touch, Follow You Follow Me, The Musical Box, Supper's Ready, I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe), The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Afterglow, Misunderstanding, Turn It On Again, Mama, Land of Confusion.

Genesis | Songbook

2001

The Beatles on Record poster
6.4

A collection of interviews and footage of the band detailing how their sound progressed and how their albums were made.

The Beatles on Record

2009

The UB40: Story of Reggae poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

The UB40: Story of Reggae

2001

Hendrix: Band of Gypsys poster
7.2

Made less than a year before his death in September 1970, Band of Gypsys was an album recorded live to fulfill a contractual obligation for a long-forgotten deal Jimi Hendrix signed when he still spelled his name "Jimmy." Hendrix had just disbanded the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and in order to dispense with the album as quickly as possible, he put together a new trio featuring Billy Cox (an old Army buddy) and drummer Buddy Miles.

Hendrix: Band of Gypsys

1999

Creedance Clearwater Revival: Travelin' Band poster
NR

Another CCR compilation with exactly the same matherial - just released under a different label and name.. This however is clearly the BEST quality video-tranfers I've seen of these tracks..! Yes - you CAN see it's from video (a bit 'blurred') - but no tape-drops and really worth a look.!

Creedance Clearwater Revival: Travelin' Band

1970

Roxy Music: More Than This - The Story of Roxy Music poster
7.5

Roxy Music's unique blend of avant-garde rock music and high style set the tone for the whole glam rock era. They were much imitated but never equaled. This DVD tells the story of Roxy Music through new interviews with band members Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay, Paul Thompson, Brian Eno and Eddie Jobson plus many of their contemporaries. The program covers their early years, the classic seventies albums, their re-emergence with a much smoother style in the early eighties, the band's break up and then their hugely successful reunion in the 21st century. Originally broadcast by the BBC in late 2008, the DVD contains nearly half an hour of additional unseen material plus three bonus, previously unreleased live tracks.

Roxy Music: More Than This - The Story of Roxy Music

2009

The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live at Monterey poster
8.5

This special presentation offers all the remaining footage from Jimi Hendrix's incendiary appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. Hendrix classics such as "Hey Joe" and "Purple Haze" are delivered in crystal clear sound and vision, with Eddie Kramer (who was Hendrix's original engineer) breathing new life into the audio with a new mix.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live at Monterey

2007

Jimi Hendrix: American Landing poster
NR

This documentary traces the journey that saw Jimi Hendrix rise from virtual obscurity to become a global star following his incendiary performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.

Jimi Hendrix: American Landing

2007

Classic Albums: The Who Sell Out poster
8.5

A retrospective about The Who's third studio album 'The Who Sell Out'. Including interviews with Who members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend alongside other people involved in the albums production.

Classic Albums: The Who Sell Out

2021

The Beatles: The Mini Documentaries poster
7.0

Included in the set is a DVD called The Mini Documentaries compiling all the short documentaries released on the individual albums in QuickTime format. This DVD features narration from all four Beatles as well as George Martin as the opening on each of the individual albums. Each documentary contains rare footage and previously unheard dialogue. There are sound excerpts from various songs, accompanied by still photos, clips of television appearances, footage from inside recording sessions, film footage from their final photo session, and material from the five Beatles films A Hard Day's Night, Help!, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine, and Let It Be. The DVD has a red Apple label (similar to that on the original US Let It Be LP). This DVD is exclusive to the Stereo set, and is not included in the Mono version.

The Beatles: The Mini Documentaries

2009

Classic Albums: Simply Red - Stars poster
5.5

British band Simply Red paved their way onto the charts with three well-received albums, but it was their fourth that really set the band apart from other soul-influenced acts. With 1991's STARS, the group explored new avenues, adding hip-hop inspired elements to their already established soul grooves. This approach proved to be popular with fans, and STARS sold more copies than any of their previous efforts, staying on the top of the UK charts for a total of 19 weeks. As part of the CLASSIC ALBUMS series, this documentary features song and video clips from STARS, accompanied by revealing interviewsThe band discuss at length how they approached writing music for this groundbreaking album, with various managers and producers of the band offering insight into its recording and production process.

Classic Albums: Simply Red - Stars

2011

Classic Albums: The Band - The Band poster
6.7

Comprised of Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel and Robbie Robertson, The Band's self-titled sophomore effort spent 24 weeks in the Billboard Top 40. The album was released at a time when the US album charts were taken over by the psychedelic rock movement, and despite this, the album had the aforementioned chart success and would go on to sell over one million copies. This edition of the "Classic Albums" series focuses on The Band's follow-up to "MUSIC FROM BIG PINK". Featuring classics such as "Up On Cripple Creek", "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", and "Rag Mama Rag", the story of the album is told through interviews with surviving members of The Band, fellow musicians Eric Clapton, Don Was, and George Harrison, and vintage footage. The Band is a classic album!

Classic Albums: The Band - The Band

1997

Pink Floyd - Live in Toronto poster
7.0

No synopsis available yet.

Pink Floyd - Live in Toronto

1994

Henry Rollins: Live in the Conversation Pit poster
8.0

The first ever Henry Rollins Spoken Word DVD filmed entirely in Australia! "I made my 26th trip to Australia for some talking shows. The first three dates were in Sydney. We rolled film on the performances and some post-show interviews as well. This DVD is what made the final cut.

Henry Rollins: Live in the Conversation Pit

2008

Queen - Is This The Real Life? poster
8.0

No synopsis available yet.

Queen - Is This The Real Life?

2020

Jimi Hendrix: The Road to Woodstock poster
7.5

The definitive documentary record of one of Jimi Hendrix's most celebrated performances. It includes such signature songs as Purple Haze, Voodoo Child (Slight Return) and his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, as well as interviews with Woodstock promoter Michael Lang and Hendrix band members Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, Larry Lee and Juma Sultan among others.

Jimi Hendrix: The Road to Woodstock

2014

Jimi Hendrix Live in Stockholm 1969 poster
7.0

The Jimi Hendrix Experience perform live in Stockholm on 9th Jan 1969 in what would be one of their final performances before Hendrix sadly passed away.

Jimi Hendrix Live in Stockholm 1969

1969