Music Icons - Episode Guide

A closer look at the brilliant career and tragically short life of Buddy Holly who, throughout the 50s, produced some of the most distinctive and influential work in rock.

A biographical portrait of Jerry Lee Lewis, the piano-playing rock'n'roll pioneer famous for his high energy stage presence and controversial private life.

A fascinating look at the music of Cream, the 60s British rock power trio consisting of Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce.

A profile of Dusty Springfield. Hailed as Britain's "best ever pop singer" by Rolling Stone, she charted a number of 60s hits, including Son of a Preacher Man.

An intimate portrait of Aretha Franklin, who passed away on 16 August 2018. Known as the Queen of Soul, her hits included Respect, Freeway of Love and I Say a Little Prayer.

The remarkable rock'n'roll story of Chuck Berry, the St Louis legend whose guitar solos and showmanship helped pave the way for future generations of rock stars.

The story of Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Californian rock band that, for a short while, were the biggest band in America.

The fascinating story of the genre-spanning Earth, Wind and Fire, one of the most popular funk bands of the 70s.

A look at Californian rock band The Grateful Dead, who emerged from the counterculture of the 60s with a diverse, eclectic style that fused myriad musical genres.

A fascinating look at the music of five-time Grammy Award winner James Taylor, whose hits include Fire and Rain, You've Got a Friend and Shower the People.

A fascinating look at the music and legacy of Jefferson Airplane, the San Francisco rock band that pioneered psychedelic rock.

An intimate look at the life and music of Joni Mitchell, the singer-songwriter responsible for hits such as Both Sides Now and Big Yellow Taxi.

A look at the life and work of music legend Neil Diamond, who wrote I'm A Believer for The Monkees, and peformed his own hits, including Heartlight and Sweet Caroline.

A look at the life and legacy of (Sittin' On) The Dock of a Bay singer Otis Redding. A soul and R&B legend, he died tragically in a plane crash at just 26 years old.

A fascinating look at American punk rock band the Ramones, who ignited the punk-rock movement with their eponymous 1976 debut album.

The remarkable story of Ray Charles. Blind from the age of seven, Charles became a pioneer of soul music, with hits like Hit the Road Jack and Georgia on My Mind.

The story of Run-DMC. Founded in 1981 by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels and Jason Mizell, the New York trio influenced countless hip-hop acts that followed.

Musician Carlos Santana became famous in the late 60s and early 70s with his band, Santana, which pioneered a fusion of rock and Latin American jazz. This is their story.

The spotlight falls on punk era rockers Talking Heads whose new wave sound featured the memorable lyrics and vocals of frontman David Byrne.

The remarkable story of Let's Stay Together soul-singing sensation Al Green, who left his musical career when it was at its pinnacle to become a reverend at his church.

The story of rockers The Band whose earthy mix of American folklore and myth included much-covered classic The Weight.

The story of punk new wave rockers The Pretenders, fronted and founded by songwriter, singer and rhythm guitarist Chrissie Hynde.

The spotlight falls on British Invasion band The Kinks, whose 60s hits You Really Got Me and All Day and All of the Night paved the way for the next decade's hard rock.

The story of Sting-fronted rock band The Police. Formed in 1977, they shot to fame with hits like Roxanne and 1983 number one Every Breath You Take.

With sunny melodies and ringing 12-string guitars, folk and psychedelic rock pioneers The Byrds created some of the Sixties' biggest singles.

They may not have been as big as The Beatles, but they did launch three of rock's greatest guitarists: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. This is the Yardbirds' story.

A closer look at the superstar trio who rose to become one of America's most successful vocal groups with hits like Where Did Our Love Go and Love Child.

A look at the music of Chicago. Formed in the 60s, they topped charts with songs like If You Leave Me Now, and remain one of the world's best selling groups of all time.

The story of Journey, one of the world's best-selling bands of all time. Many of their hits, including Don't Stop Believin', remain firmly embedded in popular culture.

A look into the life and career of The Prince of Soul, and his many famous hits, from the sultry Sexual Healing to the heartfelt What's Going On.

A look into the life and career of the four-time Grammy Award-winning rock singer, who gained popularity with songs like We Belong and Hit Me With Your Best Shot. 

A look into the unique sound of rock band Primal Scream, formed by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie in the 80s.

A glimpse into the life of the soulful superstar who founded and fronted The Miracles before embarking on a solo career and working as vice president of Motown Records.

A look at the life of the legendary musician whose career spanned five decades, over 70 albums and an endless string of hits including Gentle on My Mind and Southern Nights.

Zz Top: An eye-opening look at the American Rock Hall-of-Famers who have sold over 50 million records worldwide.

A glimpse into the career of one of the world's best-selling bands of all time, and the hitmakers of the anthem I Want To Know What Love Is.

A glimpse into the life of the 'Because the Night' hitmaker who has inspired the likes of Madonna and R.E.M's Michael Stipe throughout her long and fruitful career.

The story of the chart-topping rock band who have spent over two decades delighting fans with tracks like Don't You (Forget About Me) and Alive and Kicking.

A look into the career of one of the best-selling rock bands in the world. The six-time Grammy Award winners' hits include Scar Tissue and Dani California.

Protests were widespread as America fought in Vietnam. And, against this backdrop of unrest, rockers like Boston, REO Speedwagon and Styx came to rule the airwaves.

Explore the shift into songwriting. Its emergence in the 1960s amid political change paved the way for great artists like Cat Stevens and James Taylor.

As de-industrialisation began in the 1960s, anger grew, and music from the Flower Power movement started to lose relevance with the public, sparking the emergence of metal.

The 60s saw A-list bands fronted by artists such as Grace Slick and Janis Joplin. And the women's liberation movement birthed more female rockers like Suzi Quatro.

Folk music gained its power with acts like The Freedom Singers focusing on the Civil Rights Movement, paving the way for legends like Joan Baez and Pete Seeger.

A look at the explosion of British heavy metal music and the headbanging era that gave rise to bands like Judas Priest, Saxon and Iron Maiden.

A walk through the journey of soul music, which started as uplifting black gospel music and grew into the music we love from artists like Billy Ocean.

Dive deeper into US heavy metal and the hooks and melodic choruses that give it its distinctive sound. Featuring a look at Motley Crue, Poison and Ratt.

A look at the evolution of progressive rock. As the 70s dawned, bands were freed from the limitations of four-minute songs and began to create more complex music.

Jump in to the world of jazz rock, one of the more ambitious rock subgenres of the 60s and 70s. Featuring artists such as Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers.

Head back to 60s SoCal and the birth of soft rock, full of simple melodies and big, lush productions. Expect music from the likes of Supertramp and ELO.

An look at the origins of British R'n'B, dating back to the 1950s jazz and folk movements, and paving the way for bands like Blues Incorporated.

A look at the Pop Rock sound of the 70s and 80s, and the bands that embraced this blend of punk minimalism and pop melodies such as The Cars and Huey Lewis and the News.

The series continues with an explanation of the unique and distinctive sound of psychedelic rock. With music from The Moody Blues and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

The Chicago Blues sound replaced acoustic instruments with amplified versions, birthing a movement that stars such as Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters embraced.