Breaking the Band - Episode Guide

This episode charts the rise and fall of the world's most successful band seen through the prism of the turbulent relationship between its two key members, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. From meeting as teenagers in the UK city of Liverpool we hear how the early trauma of losing their mothers brought them together but how their different personalities and musical aspirations would ultimately tear them apart. Using first hand testimony from colleagues and close friends we examine the key factors that led to the breakup. From the introduction of Yoko Ono to the death of their beloved manager, Brian Epstein, ‘Breaking the Band: the Beatles' reveals the psychological factors that ended the most successful song writing partnership in history.

At the height of their success they were the biggest rock band in the world infamous for their excess and raucous live performances. With their strutting frontmen, wild hair and penchant for spandex they are often portrayed as the archetypal 80's American rock band. The band went through two 'break ups' covered by our timeline owing to a variety of factors but most prominently conflicts over the Van Halen brother's desire for total control and the destructive impacts of substance/alcohol abuse. By 1984 they were the biggest band in the world but, behind the scenes, all was not well and a battle for control raged between the brothers at the heart of the band and it's lead singer, David Lee Roth. Years of touring, drugs and personality clashes had left them on the brink. When Roth's ambitions grew beyond the band, the brothers moved quickly to force him out. Their millions of fans were left devastated, but rising from the ashes the they would regroup with a new front man, Sammy Hagar. Against the odds they reached even greater heights with a string of 4 consecutive No.1 albums. Apparently vindicated by their decision the band appeared harmonious. But as the success grew, new tensions emerged and in 1995 the tale of ten years earlier was repeated when Hagar too was ousted for his apparent disloyalty.

On the 27th of February 1974 Cher filed for divorce from her husband Sonny, citing ‘involuntary servitude' aka. slavery. It was a scandalous end for the duo, who had charmed America with their kooky relationship and heart felt songs. A decade earlier Sonny & Cher released their international chart topping single ‘I got you babe'. In the decade that followed they sold over 40 million records making them one of the most successful duos of all time. But after just a few years at the top, the couple would be pulled apart by financial ruin, infidelity, and a demand for total control by one over the other. This is the story of what really broke up America's oddest couple, from those who were there.

In the late 80s, notorious LA rap group NWA rocked the world with their brutal, violent music about racism and police brutality. Known as ‘the most dangerous band in the world', their first album Straight outta Compton changed the face of rap music and went triple platinum, yet after only three short years the band split up. Breaking the Band – NWA uncovers the greed, violence and recriminations that led the members of NWA to tear themselves apart, as told by the people who were there.

Fleetwood Mac has sold over 100 million records making them one of the most successful bands in the world. It was their album Rumours that propelled them into the rock and roll stratosphere but behind the scenes the record was a story of two couples at war. Hit songs like Dreams and Go Your Own Way were evidence of the bitter conflict. Out of fame and extraordinary fortune came jealousy and infidelity, raging egos, addiction and unadulterated excess. Yet they held it together for another decade and the biggest surprise was how they kept going for so long. ‘Breaking the Band: Fleetwood Mac' reveals the story of the legendary band.

The Eagles are one of the biggest bands in history, selling over 150 million records. Their music defined the 1970s, with songs like Hotel California, Take It Easy and Life In The Fast Lane and their greatest hits album was the greatest selling album of the twentieth century. Their music was the soundtrack to our lives. They were a band who left nothing to chance. Founder members Glenn Frey and Don Henley had a ruthless ambition for The Eagles and let nothing and nobody stand in their way. Yet after almost a decade together, the band suddenly fell apart amidst power struggles , bullying and feuding. the sex, drugs and rock'n'roll lifestyle eventually caused them to self destruct.

In the mid 1960s, with hits like Surfin USA and Good Vibrations, the Beach Boys became THE carefree sound of American youth. On stage the three brothers and cousin that formed the backbone of the band seemed like one happy family but nothing could be further from the truth. Its lead singer songwriter Brian Wilson battled with his mental health and the legacy of an abusive father. His drug-addicted brother Dennis redefined the meaning of excess. And frontman Mike Love's obsession with the bottom dollar clashed with the rest of the band's creative ambitions. Mental breakdowns and bitter fist fights would overshadow much of their 20 year reign as one of the world's greatest ever bands.

The Supremes were the greatest girl band ever. Over the course of the 60's they had 12 Billboard chart topping hits, including 5 consecutive number 1's - still a record for a girl band. They were an international sensation – three teenage, African American girls from the Detroit projects who conquered the world. Berry Gordy, the boss of Motown, moulded Mary Wilson, Flo Ballard and Diana Ross into music stars as The Supremes. When they first got together, they were inseparable, but as their fame grew something happened to shatter the bonds between these friends. Diana Ross rose to become a superstar, but for another band member it would end in a tragedy of drink, despair and death. Told through the first hand testimony of those that were there, including original band member Mary Wilson, and with expert psychological analysis from Dr Linda Papadopoulos, this is the story of the Break Up of the Supremes.

Motley Crue has sold over 100 million records making them one of the most successful rock bands in the world. The rise of the Sunset Strip bad boys was an 80s journey of debauchery and excess, until their hair metal hedonism ended in tragedy and addiction. Behind the fame, fortune and larger than life lifestyles was recrimination, rehab and bitter resentment.

Formed in 1985, Guns N' Roses is regarded as one of the best rock bands of all time and its album, ‘Appetite for Destruction' is the best-selling debut in U.S. history. The band's potent mix of hard rock and beautiful melodies, coupled with insightful and emotional lyrics helped them cross over into the mainstream, resulting in over 100 million record sales. But behind the immense fame and success lay chaos, as the famous front man's antics led to a spate of late on-stage appearances, cancelled concerts and a series of riots, earning Guns N' Roses the moniker, ‘The Most Dangerous Band in the World'. Throughout the turmoil, the band members battled drug addiction and the volatile mix of strong personalities ignited tension and conflict, eventually ripping the band apart. In August 1997, the last original band member quit leaving singer Axl Rose to front Guns N' Roses with a whole new team of musicians. So what exactly caused the classic line-up of Guns N' Roses to finally implode?

In the late 1990's five ambitious young girls took the pop world by storm. Racking up total earnings of up to $800m between 1996 and 1998, with hits like Wannabe, Stop and Spice Up Your Life, The Spice Girls remain the best-selling girl group of all time. They began as 5 separate wannabes manufactured into a group with a mission to break the stranglehold boy bands had on the music charts. Then, thanks to a combination of relentless hard work, ruthless hiring and firing of managers, they conquered the global music charts in record time. The mantra that powered them, their fans and global brands eager to cash in on their success was Girl Power. But that same bombastic Girl Power, their over-ambitious workload and a desire to seize control from their management would burst their bubble after just 2 years at the top.

New Kids On The Block has sold over 80 million records, making them one of the most successful boybands of all time. These five childhood friends, became a record breaking group, put together as the vision of musical mastermind Maurice Starr. With hits like Hangin' Tough and Step By Step, they exceeded all expectations - winning teenage hearts across the world and grossing over a billion dollars in under five years. But fame came at a price. As their success grew, the relentless pressure of touring and recording, and the scale of their fame began to take its toll. And behind the scenes, tensions and secrets began to drive the group apart. In less than five years at the top, it was over.

Formed in 1987, Smashing Pumpkins were one of the most successful alternative rock bands of the 1990s, with their 1995 album, ‘Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness' launching them into rock superstardom. But just 5 years later, as relationships between bandmates had completely broken down, the band split up. In this episode, we tell the story of Smashing Pumpkins rise to fame, whilst looking at the complexity of personal & inter-band problems that brought about the band's demise – from Billy Corgan's need for total musical control, to battles in the studio, pressures to succeed leading to depressive episodes & suicidal thoughts, bandmates battling addiction and - at the height of their fame – the death by overdose of their touring keyboardist.

The Clash where icons of the punk rock revolution in Britain. They were political and challenging and their controversial music sold millions of albums. Their story centred around two musical talents, Mick Jones and Joe Strummer, and their manager Bernard Rhodes. Breaking the Band will investigate how the aggression and attitude that would bring the Clash success, would also lead to their self-destruction and ultimate break up.

Kiss blew glam rock out of the water when they formed in 1972, their larger than life cartoon personas and pyrotechnic on stage antics drove audiences crazy. By 1978 they were one of the biggest bands in the world, but the relentless schedule of touring and recording combined with the non-stop debauchery of a rock and roll lifestyle would divide the band; while Peter Criss and Ace Frehely descended into a world of drink and drugs, the bandleader's Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons stayed sober and tried to keep Kiss recording and performing. Eventually tensions became too much and the original line up of the band split in 1980 when Peter Criss was sacked. Gene and Peter kept Kiss alive over the next decade, with session musicians hired to fill in for the absent Peter and Ace, but their popularity gradually waned. Then, in 1995, after a brief performance on MTV to a rapturous audience, the original line up reconciled and reformed. But when Kiss immediately began a relentless schedule of tours, old tensions soon resurfaced. By 2000 the band hung together by a thread, and the original line up of Kiss broke up when Peter Criss left for the last time. So what caused the original members of Kiss to finally split?

Led Zeppelin split on December 4th 1980, 2 months after the tragic death of iconic drummer, John Bonham. Throughout the 1970's, at the height of the bands powers, Led Zeppelin became the world's first rock supergroup, selling over 300 million albums and headlining 600 concerts worldwide. Zeppelin's rock star excesses became the stuff of legend, and dark rumours swirled around their closely guarded inner circle as everything Zeppelin touched miraculously turned to gold. But after nearly a decade at the top, disaster engulfed the band, and fans speculated that Zeppelin was finally paying the price for their huge success. And 40 years after the split, Zeppelin's popularity still hasn't faded; fans, new and old, clamour for a final reunion, which has been described as the "billion dollar tour" by promoters worldwide. But lead singer, Robert Plant, has sworn that he will never play with Zeppelin again, denying lead guitarist Jimmy Page and bass guitarist John Paul Jones the reunion they want. So what really happened to the once close members of the world's greatest ever rock band? Why won't they ever play together again?

For more than three decades San Francisco rock band Journey have been selling out stadiums around the world. The band began in the early 1970s as a prog rock oufit, but their biggest success came when lead singer, Steve Perry, joined the band in 1978. Steve Perry known as The Voice, brought a new sound and a wider audience. Journey's Escape album became the bands biggest selling album to date reaching number one and selling a million copies. It scored three top ten hits: "Who's Crying Now," "Don't Stop Believin'," and "Open Arms." But behind the scenes multiple changes in the bands line up were evidence that not everyone was happy with the new change of direction.

In the early 1980s, The Police were hailed as the biggest band in the world, selling over 50 million albums. Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland dominated the charts and packed out stadiums and then, shockingly, split while at the peak of their rock and roll stardom. Rumors of Sting's fast growing ego, personality clashes and physical fights grew but was this band's implosion really down to just the ambitions of lead singer, Sting or were other factors at work? Breaking the Band: The Police tells the story of a band that defined an era, and reveals the truth behind why they were torn apart.

The Mamas and The Papas was one of the most iconic groups of the "Swinging Sixties". Their unique vocal harmonies and timeless pop melodies catapulted them to the top of the Billboard charts. The band's journey to the dizzying heights of fame was strewn with tales of infidelity, unrequited love and power struggles, and powered by a hedonistic lifestyle, centered around drink and drugs. Despite The Mamas and The Papas' star burning for only a few short years, the band left an indelible mark on the music industry.

Simon & Garfunkel were the most successful folk-rock duo of the 1960s selling almost 40 million albums worldwide. Their distinct melodies and songs helped define a decade but at the height of their success, just four years after they burst into public consciousness, the duo split up. The former childhood best friends suffered from jealously, rivalry and betrayals.

British rock band Black Sabbath is explored, which includes their journey from their early beginnings, success and eventual break up, along with extensive archive and revealing interviews to chronicle the groups turbulent past.

The inside story of rock n roll band Aerosmith is explored, which features insight from those who were there that includes manager Tim Collins, who was behind the groups resurrection in the 80s, and how the band survived success for five decades.

The true story behind the split of heavy metal band Twisted Sister is explored, which includes thoughts from band members and lead singer Dee Snider as they chronicle how ego and tension were among the factors that caused turmoil in the group.

The true story behind the split of heavy metal band Poison is spotlighted, which explores various obstacles they faced during their tenure that includes jealousies and power struggles, along with worsening addictions and fights.

The Who sold over 100 million records in a career that spans over 50 years. As they were propelled to fame in the 1960's they redefined youth culture with their aggressive antics on stage and off. With Pete Townshend's genius, Roger Daltry's voice and the drug fuelled capers of its unique rhythm section, Keith Moon and John Entwistle, The Who produced a stream of hits that made them household names worldwide. But with fame came conflict between Pete and Roger, as they tussled for control of the band. And with global superstardom came excess, which ended with Keith Moon's tragic death in 1978. Somehow the remaining members managed to keep going, until they split in 1982. The Who have since reformed and the two remaining members, Pete and Roger, play on, and are still touring today