Behind the Music
This series which debuted in August 1997 offers an intimate look into the personal lives of musical artists as well as the provocative and often controversial issues and trends shaping the world of music. Through exclusive interviews with the artists, family members, friends and colleagues, each one-hour episode traces the struggles and triumphs of artists who have made a major contribution to the music world.To see other programs and lesson plans click on one of the below:
VH1 Storytellers | Road to Fame | Specials
April 2002
Behind
the Music 2000
VH1
(1:00) (YEAR) Behind The Music 2000
This special year-end episode of Behind the Music takes a look back at
2000: the highs, the lows, and all the controversies. It was a year that
saw online music take center stage; the advent of Napster has revolutionized
the way music is heard and distributed, and sparked a heated debate on
artists' rights and consumer behavior. We also take a look at the role
of Rock and Roll marketing, as the creation of massive, integrated campaigns
for major artists such as Sting, Christina Aguilera, and N'SYNC saw them
rise to unprecedented heights. And what can explain the continuing dominance
of teen pop in the marketplace? These are just a few of the phenomena
BTM 2000 explores, plus we bring you a day in the life of a music-loving
couple trying to find where they belong in this era of endless music choices.
MUSIC: HISTORY
Behind The Music 2000, VH1, April 2, 4 am ET
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January 2001
VH1 Presents the 80's: Impact Episode
January
8, 4 am ET, 3 am CT
VH1 Presents The '80's Impact episode looks at the decade's biggest musical
artists and styles, and explores how music reflected and influenced our
ideas about politics, money, technology, fashion, the media, and race
issues. The 1980s were a decade of innumerable contradictions for rock
and roll and the audience that grew up with it. The music that had challenged
authority during years social upheaval became part of the establishment.
Anthems of the anti-war movement and civil rights struggle were co-opted
by corporate America who used them sell the products to aging baby boomers.
The commitment to social change expanded with other benefits like Live
Aid to fight starvation in Africa; Farm Aid, organized to raise money
for American family farmers, and Little Steven Van Zandt's antiapartheid
album "Sun City." This edition deals with events that impacted
the music and social world during the 80s: the murder of John Lennon;
Ronald Regan as President; and an obsession with wealth and status that
was reflected in fashion and popular culture, as well as the end of the
Cold War.
MUSIC: HISTORY
VH1 Presents the 80's, VH1, Jan 8, 4 am ET/PT, 3 am CT
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December 2001
VH1 (1:00) Behind the Music 1972
As part of VH1's Behind the Music series, BTM 1972 offers an intimate look into the personal lives of musical artists as well as the provocative and often controversial issues and trends shaping the world of music. 1972 was a pivotal year in politics and pop, and idealism gave way to cynicism as Vietnam dragged on and Nixon was reelected, only to shortly resign. The once vibrant youth movement was feeling bitter and betrayed and rock & roll was losing faith in the revolution. America's innocence was dealt a series of punishing blows; as the U.S. began its slow retreat from Vietnam, a music scene long united by opposition to the war was dividing. Some rockers lashed out, other songwriters looked inward. 1972 was an election year and a White House under siege conspired to silence John Lennon - an outspoken critic. Impervious to politics, the original rebels of rock - the Rolling Stones - came rollin' down main street for their first U.S. tour since Altamont, and singer-songwriters made the personal political. This BTM explores how so much internal strife and disconnection could yield so much vital music.
MUSIC: HISTORY
Behind The Music 1972, VH1,
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November 2001
VH1 (1:00) Behind the Music 1968 presents a look back to the Sixties' most explosive, chaotic, tragic and inspiring year. A time when youth raged in the streets, leaders were martyred, and cities burned. This episode explores some of the most exciting, enduring, influential music of our times and the stories "Behind the Music" through dramatic footage and revealing interviews with many of the great musicians who spoke for an angry, alienated generation. Includes interviews with Grace Slick, David Crosby, James Brown, Graham Nash, John Fogerty, Aretha Franklin, P.J. O'Rourke, Art Garfunkel, Rennie Davis and Country Joe McDonald.
MUSIC: HISTORY
Behind The Music 1968, VH1,
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May 2001
VH1 (1:00) VH1 Behind The Music: Takin' It To The Streets provides a rare and revealing look inside the lives of the modern-day minstrels known as street musicians. This episode shines the spotlight on five musical stories full of heart, rhythm and soul from the "Classical Strings" of Manhattan to the "Blues" of New Orleans' French Quarter. This program describes how street musicians can stop their audience dead in their tracks with driving energy, compelling sounds and raw talent. Musician-styles include classical, jazz, rhythm and blues and alternative rock & roll.
MUSIC
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November 2000
VH1 (1:00) Behind the Music 1970 offers
an intimate look into the personal lives of musical artists as well as
the provocative and often controversial issues and trends shaping the
world of music. 1970 was the year the Vietnam war came home and peaceful
ideals of the '60s gave way to horror. Anti-war activists protesting the
invasion of Cambodia found themselves being gunned down for their beliefs.
CSNY memorialized the Kent State tragedy in the song "Ohio."
It was also the year that generational icons Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin
fell victim to their excesses, and the Beatles collapsed under the weight
of their enormous popularity. In California, "good vibrations"
soured when failed rock musician Charles Manson struck back against an
industry which didn't understand his "genius"; the mayhem he
orchestrated became forever linked to the Beatles song "Helter Skelter."
The counterculture found itself guilty by association, and "save
the world" turned into "save yourself." Introspective singer/songwriters
like James Taylor and Joni Mitchell replaced revolutionary rockers; Simon
& Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," certainly a
cry of help, was the song of 1970. BTM looks back at this pivotal year
with archival footage, journalistic commentary, and interviews with Paul
McCartney, David Crosby, Judy Collins, former Sen. Tom Hayden, and many
others.
MUSIC: HISTORY
Behind The Music 1970, VH1,
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October 2000
VH1 (1:00) Behind the Music 1992 takes a look at the year when the rock and roll changed its course and headed for the sights of Seattle. President Bush took rap music to task and future President Clinton picked up a saxophone and rocked the voters on late night television. 1992 was a farewell to the big hair bands of the late 80s and a progression into flannel wearing grunge bands.
MUSIC: HISTORY
Behind The Music 1992, VH1,
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