The Rehoboth Beach Film Society will host screenings of "The Airwaves Belonged to the People: WBCN and The American Revolution" Friday, Sept. 4 and beyond, at the Cinema Art Theater near Lewes. 

The acclaimed documentary chronicles the early days of the legendary Boston-based rock station that redefined radio’s relationship with its listeners and helped fuel the political, social and cultural movements that transformed America in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Filmmaker Bill Lichtenstein said, “WBCN was a community of young people, musicians, journalists, activists and listeners who believed the airwaves could belong to the people. Its impact stretched across New England and the nation. At a time when many Americans feel powerless, the film is a reminder of how media, dissent, music and collective action can bring social change.”

The film draws on more than 100,000 audio and visual items from the era, including footage shot by Andy Warhol. It features Bruce Springsteen’s first radio interview and live in-studio performance, Patti Smith’s first live radio broadcast with her band, and rare archival material from Jane Fonda, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Garcia, David Bowie, Bette Midler and Lou Reed. The documentary tells the story of how radio, politics, and rock 'n' roll converged at a turbulent moment in American history.