UPCOMING EPISODES

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

ZZ Top is one of the most iconic rock bands of all time, their unique sense of humour combined with catchy heavy rock songs made them global stars of MTV. Known in the 1970’s as ‘The Little Ol’ Band from Texas,’ the blues-rockers struggled to gain national recognition despite massive success in the South. Drug addiction, exhaustion and in-fighting between the three musicians threatened to destroy the band. But a change of musical direction sparked their breakthrough, and 1982’s classic album ‘Eliminator’ sold over 10 million copies, spawning massive hit singles like ‘Gimme All Your Lovin’ and ‘Sharp Dressed Man’. Out of fame and fortune came further division over the band’s new sound – and an even greater threat to their future.

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.

Formed in New York in 1976 by musical powerhouse Mick Jones, Foreigner would become one of the most successful groups of all time as Lou Gramm’s incredible vocals and the band’s unique talents would rack up more than 80 million album sales. By the mid Eighties, Foreigner’s blend of hard rock and atmospheric ballads were a stadium filling success all over the world but behind the scenes, their move towards synth led soft rock, most famously the #1 global hit “I want to know what love is,” had started to create fault lines between musical architect Mick and frontman Lou. As resentment grew, the once tight knit songwriting partnership started to fall apart; and when Lou embarked on a successful solo career, their dispute came to a head. In May 1990, Lou leaves acrimoniously fracturing the musical heart of the band. It seemed like they would never get back together but music, especially Foreigner’s, is a powerful force …

With a career spanning more than 30 years, and over 130 million records sold, Bon Jovi is one of the best-selling American rock bands in history. Their top-selling album, Slippery When Wet, reinvented heavy metal for a wider, and younger, audience. It turned the New Jersey rockers into global superstars. They were young, fun and good looking. But behind the good-time image, the band’s namesake and front man, Jon Bon Jovi, became a controlling leader with an iron grip. Those who forgot his rules or requirements were replaced. The brand became bigger than the band. ‘Bon Jovi: Breaking the Band’ reveals the inside story of the rise and fall of this 1980s phenomenon that continues to reinvent itself to this day.

With more than 100 million records sold worldwide, the Jackson 5 - later known as the Jacksons - changed the pop landscape forever, paving the way for the modern boy band and bringing black music to a mainstream audience. But beneath their wholesome, bubble gum image, was a dark side: Betrayal, fraternal jealousy, a controlling father and a burgeoning megastar fighting to break free, threaten to rip the once close-knit family and group apart. This is the story of the spectacular break-up of the Jackson 5.