Rock Legends

The stories of some of the biggest names in rock music history, from the beginning of their career to the height of their success.
Chicago
S10 E1

The self-described "rock 'n' roll band with horns," Chicago is one of the longest-running and most successful rock groups and one of the world's best-selling groups of all time, having sold more than 100 million records.

ZZ Top
S10 E2

ZZ Top is an American rock band formed in 1969 in Groves, Texas; since 1970, the band consists of bassist and vocalist Dusty Hill, guitarist and lead vocalist Billy Gibbons, and drummer Frank Beard.

Glen Campbell
S10 E3

Country music legend Glen Campbell's hits include "Rhinestone Cowboy," "Wichita Lineman" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix."

Diana Ross & The Supremes
S10 E6

In the late 1950s, four Detroit schoolgirls form one of the most successful female vocal groups of all time; Diana Ross, Betty McGlown, Florence Ballard, and Mary Wilson name themselves the Primettes in tribute to a local male group.

Al Green
S10 E7

Al Green is known for the hit song "Let's Stay Together," and for leaving his musical career at its height in the 1970s to become a reverend at his own church.

Marvin Gaye
S10 E8

Marvin Gaye sings in his father's church and in the Moonglows before signing with Motown; he records songs by Smokey Robinson before producing the protest album "What's Going On"; Gaye is killed in 1984 during a domestic dispute with his father.

Smokey Robinson
S10 E9

Born in Detroit in 1940, Smokey Robinson is second to only Berry Gordy in the founding of Motown; a prolific songwriter, he is credited with 4,000 songs and 37 Top 40 hits, including "The Tears of a Clown" and "The Tracks of My Tears."

Foreigner
S10 E10

English-American rock band Foreigner forms in New York City in 1976 by veteran English musician and ex-Spooky Tooth member Mick Jones, fellow Briton and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald, and American vocalist Lou Gramm.

Pat Benatar
S10 E11

Born in 1953 in Brooklyn, N.Y., singer Pat Benatar works the club scene and finds her guitarist and future husband Neil Giraldo.

Little Richard
S10 E12

Known for his flamboyant performances, Little Richard's hit songs from the mid-1950s were defining moments in the development of rock 'n' roll.

The Kinks
S8 E6

The Kinks were a key part of the 1960s British Invasion, and their early hits such as "You Really Got Me" and "All Day and All of the Night" paved the way for the next decade's hard rock.

Yardbirds
S8 E7

The pioneering blues-based combo, The Yardbirds, introduced three famous and influential guitarists of the rock era: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page; their innovations paved the way for rock, heavy metal, Southern boogie and even punk.

The Byrds
S8 E11

The Byrds pioneer folk rock, combining traditional acoustic music with early Sixties pop; the group's signature sunny melodies, lush harmonies and ringing 12-string guitars make for some of the decade's best singles.

Patti Smith
S8 E12

An exploration of American singer-songwriter Patti Smith, her impact on the punk rock movement and her fusion of the genre with poetry.

Primal Scream
S8 E14

The history of the Scottish rock band formed in 1982 in Glasgow, the changes to their sound and the various band members.

Simple Minds
S8 E15

A look back at Scottish rock band Simple Minds; they rose to international stardom in the 1980s with their hit song "Don't You (Forget About Me)."

Cher
S4 E7

Cher is an iconic figure of music, film and TV with a career spanning over 50 years.

Black Sabbath
S3 E2

Fronted by the extroverted Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath is an influential pioneer of the heavy metal genre; they formed in 1960s Birmingham and enjoy commercial success with their self-titled debut album and "Paranoid."