UPCOMING EPISODES

Black Sabbath: One of the greatest rock bands on the planet the so called fathers of heavy metal came from very humble origins to become among the most successful – and outrageous – of rock stars. Their hedonism was legendary, as was their volatility. 'Black Sabbath: Breaking the Band' will follow their journey from their early beginnings to sell-out tours and chart-topping success, to their eventual break up. Combining high-end stylized drama reconstruction, extensive archive and revealing interviews, we'll chart the turbulent history of a band who battled with egos, Satanists, crippling drug and alcohol addictions and music business mobsters who robbed them of everything they had.

Pink Floyd sold over 250 million albums. They are among the most successful rock bands of all time. Their album, Dark Side Of The Moon, stayed in the charts for 18 years. It made them global superstars. That record, like the four that followed it, was the brainchild of one band member. He became so convinced Pink Floyd’s success was only down to him, that he tried to bury the band so he could prosper alone. But they survived, and their music eclipsed his solo work. Thirty years later he still tours the music he made with them. ‘Pink Floyd: Breaking The Band’ reveals the story of this legendary band.

One of the biggest bands of the 20th century, Genesis, sold over 100 million albums worldwide. But the story is as remarkable for the band’s success as it is for their extraordinary transformation- from cult prog rockers to pop-rock superstars. Along the way the band launched the careers of two of the most successful solo artists of all time; Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins. 'Breaking the Band' will follow the meteoric journey from Genesis’s early beginnings in a sleepy part of England to sell-out global tours and chart-topping success, wallpapering a decade with their iconic sound. Combining high-end stylised drama reconstruction, extensive archive and revealing interviews from those who were there, we'll chart the incredible journey and see how power struggles, solo superstardom, jealousy and personal tragedy led to the band’s downfall at the peak of its powers.

Alice Cooper rose from total anonymity to become the highest grossing rock group in the world. They captured the imagination of a generation with their iconic hits such as ‘School’s out,’ as well as through their provocative and theatrical stage show, the likes of which had never been seen before. But the pressure was immense, and when the lead singer began to outshine the other band members, it wasn’t long before jealousy and greed took their toll on the band. Alcoholism and drug abuse spiralled, and ten years after they formed, but only three years after their first hit, the band was no more. The lead singer changed his name to Alice Cooper and became a cultural icon, whilst the other members of the group silently disappeared into the background. Breaking the Band: Alice Cooper reveals the story of this legendary band.

In the mid 1980s, hair metal band Poison fronted by ambitious Bret Michaels and wild lead guitarist C.C Deville, bass player Bobby Dahl and drummer Rikki Rockett were united in their determination to become global rock stars. Through sheer hard work and relentless promotion, they did indeed take the world by storm within a couple of years of landing in Los Angeles. Thanks to their spectacular arena gigs and 40 million album and DVD sales, they have become one of the world’s most successful and enduring glam rock stars. Their off-stage excess and partying, along with their female following at all the parties, was legendary. But Fame and fortune cost them dear and they paid big time. By the 1990s, serious cracks began to appear. Festering jealousies and power struggles, worsening addictions, gladiatorial backstage fist fights and ultimately burnout from constant touring and partying were amongst the trials they faced.. So which of these ended up poisoning Poison ? Or was their fate sealed by outside forces beyond their control ? Hold on tight !

Malcolm and Angus Young are the heart of AC/DC, one of the world’s greatest ever rock bands. The 2 youngest of 8 siblings, they grew up in a working-class family where rock n roll was the only life they ever knew. Both brothers had a relentless, take no prisoners, attitude to success and they shared one dream; to get to the top and become guitar toting multi- millionaires. Their desire to conquer the world with their singular brand of heavy rock came before everything, including family relationships, and over 35 years many of those around them would be chewed up and spat out as AC/DC rose to world domination. But even as its members achieved global success beyond their wildest dreams, AC/DC would be haunted by tragedy after tragedy.

With a combined fortune of 900 million dollars and a band life spanning four decades, Metallica is one of the biggest selling heavy metal bands in history. Their 1991 sixteen-times certified album ‘Metallica’, known as ‘The Black Album’ changed the course of heavy metal and plunged the young quartet to megastardom. But, it hasn’t always been an easy road. Struggles with aggression, addiction, jealousy and the death of a much loved band member have plunged the band in and out of darkness for as long as it’s been a unit, and yet Metallica continues to thrive. ‘Breaking the Band: Metallica’ reveals the inside story of the trials and tribulations of one of the biggest, baddest metal bands on earth.

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.

Whitesnake was the brainchild of Ex- Deep Purple frontman David Coverdale. They appeared on the English music scene in 1978 with raunchy lyrics, and a big blues rock sound. Over the next 12 years, David Coverdale’s grit and determination went on to drive them to become one of the biggest successes of the “Hair Metal Age”. But there were plenty of casualties on the way with a host of line-up changes, as Coverdale ruthlessly searched for the winning formula. Hit songs like “Here I Go Again” and “Fool For Your Loving” pushed them to the forefront of the Glam Rock consciousness. With an Image that went from moustached Blues musicians, to Bouffant, leather clad Glam Rockers, David Coverdale’s band Whitesnake sold millions of Albums worldwide and their sexy glamourous videos defined the Hair Metal Era.

In the mid 1980s, hair metal band Poison fronted by ambitious Bret Michaels and wild lead guitarist C.C Deville, bass player Bobby Dahl and drummer Rikki Rockett were united in their determination to become global rock stars. Through sheer hard work and relentless promotion, they did indeed take the world by storm within a couple of years of landing in Los Angeles. Thanks to their spectacular arena gigs and 40 million album and DVD sales, they have become one of the world’s most successful and enduring glam rock stars. Their off-stage excess and partying, along with their female following at all the parties, was legendary. But Fame and fortune cost them dear and they paid big time. By the 1990s, serious cracks began to appear. Festering jealousies and power struggles, worsening addictions, gladiatorial backstage fist fights and ultimately burnout from constant touring and partying were amongst the trials they faced.. So which of these ended up poisoning Poison ? Or was their fate sealed by outside forces beyond their control ? Hold on tight !

In 1984, Twisted Sister were one of the biggest heavy metal bands on the planet with the world at their feet. After a decade battling to get to the top, this Long Island bar band were hailed as the new rock gods of MTV but their crash and burn would be spectacular! Told by the band themselves and their lead singer, the voice of Breaking the Band, Dee Snider. This is a cautionary tale of how ego, overexposure and intra-band tension would rip the group apart. Revealing the true story behind the split of Rock and Roll’s most outrageous, heavily made up and beloved acts. This is Breaking the Band: Twisted Sister.

Whitesnake was the brainchild of Ex- Deep Purple frontman David Coverdale. They appeared on the English music scene in 1978 with raunchy lyrics, and a big blues rock sound. Over the next 12 years, David Coverdale’s grit and determination went on to drive them to become one of the biggest successes of the “Hair Metal Age”. But there were plenty of casualties on the way with a host of line-up changes, as Coverdale ruthlessly searched for the winning formula. Hit songs like “Here I Go Again” and “Fool For Your Loving” pushed them to the forefront of the Glam Rock consciousness. With an Image that went from moustached Blues musicians, to Bouffant, leather clad Glam Rockers, David Coverdale’s band Whitesnake sold millions of Albums worldwide and their sexy glamourous videos defined the Hair Metal Era.

In the mid 1980s, hair metal band Poison fronted by ambitious Bret Michaels and wild lead guitarist C.C Deville, bass player Bobby Dahl and drummer Rikki Rockett were united in their determination to become global rock stars. Through sheer hard work and relentless promotion, they did indeed take the world by storm within a couple of years of landing in Los Angeles. Thanks to their spectacular arena gigs and 40 million album and DVD sales, they have become one of the world’s most successful and enduring glam rock stars. Their off-stage excess and partying, along with their female following at all the parties, was legendary. But Fame and fortune cost them dear and they paid big time. By the 1990s, serious cracks began to appear. Festering jealousies and power struggles, worsening addictions, gladiatorial backstage fist fights and ultimately burnout from constant touring and partying were amongst the trials they faced.. So which of these ended up poisoning Poison ? Or was their fate sealed by outside forces beyond their control ? Hold on tight !

In 1984, Twisted Sister were one of the biggest heavy metal bands on the planet with the world at their feet. After a decade battling to get to the top, this Long Island bar band were hailed as the new rock gods of MTV but their crash and burn would be spectacular! Told by the band themselves and their lead singer, the voice of Breaking the Band, Dee Snider. This is a cautionary tale of how ego, overexposure and intra-band tension would rip the group apart. Revealing the true story behind the split of Rock and Roll’s most outrageous, heavily made up and beloved acts. This is Breaking the Band: Twisted Sister.

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.

Fronted by the Wilson sisters, Heart is renowned for its multi-million selling 1980s power ballads. But the story of Heart starts in the late 1960s with two guys and their guitars, who are determined to make it big. Signing up Ann Wilson & her sister, Nancy, the soon to be six-piece band is a truly creative musical collaboration that produces some absolute classics of the late 70s. But the creative genius at Hearts’ core is as the result of double sibling love stories that will ultimately fall apart. As the band’s star rises, individual egos grow & a series of infidelities, creative clashes, power struggles & broken hearts will lead to the downfall of the original Heart, leaving the sisters free to take the band into the cut-throat world of mainstream rock super stardom.

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.

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.

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 …