Music Icons

20181 seriesEntertainment / Music/Arts
Available on Sky Arts
Sky Arts

A fascinating look at the life and work of history's most iconic musicians and performers, looking at their lives and examining their far-reaching influence.

American Rock: Episode Image
Episode 1American Rock

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. (S4, ep 1)

Singer Writes the Song: Episode Image
Episode 2Singer Writes the Song

...The Song. 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. (S4, ep 2)

Birth of Metal: Episode Image
Episode 3Birth of Metal

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. (S4, ep 3)

Women Who Rock: Episode Image
Episode 4Women Who Rock

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. (S4, ep 4)

Songs for the People: Episode Image
Episode 5Songs for the People

...People. 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. (S4, ep 5)

British Metal: Episode Image
Episode 6British Metal

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. (S4, ep 6)

Soul Crooners: Episode Image
Episode 7Soul Crooners

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. (S4, ep 7)

US Heavy Metal: Episode Image
Episode 8US Heavy Metal

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. (S4, ep 8)

Progressive Rock: Episode Image
Episode 9Progressive Rock

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. (S4, ep 9)

Jazz Rock: Episode Image
Episode 10Jazz Rock

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. (S4, ep 10)

Soft Rock: Episode Image
Episode 11Soft Rock

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. (S4, ep 11)

British Rhythm & Blues: Episode Image
Episode 12British Rhythm & Blues

...Rhythm & Blues. 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. (S4, ep 12)

Pop Rock: Episode Image
Episode 13Pop Rock

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. (S4, ep 13)

Psychedelic Rock: Episode Image
Episode 14Psychedelic Rock

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. (S4, ep 14)

Chicago Blues: Episode Image
Episode 15Chicago Blues

The Chicago Blues sound replaced acoustic instruments with amplified versions, birthing a movement that stars such as Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters embraced. (S4, ep 15)

How to watch Music Icons

New to SkySee Sky TV dealsAlready have Sky TV?Watch on Sky Go