“American Epic is more than a music documentary,” says Sir Elton John in a preview for PBS’ new film series that explores the roots of modern music in American, “This is history.”

The three-part series, which is executive produced by Jack White, T Bone Burnett and Robert Redford, focuses on the period in the 1920s when “American first heard itself” after electrical sound recording was invented.

American Epic premiered this past week on PBS.

Alabama Shakes perform “Killer Diller”  (originally recorded by Memphis Minnie):