One of my favorite shows of all time is Behind the Music on VH1. I don’t even know if they still record original episodes of this show, but it was a fantastic show. I loved the back stories of all of my favorite bands. I loved hearing how they all came together and how they all broke up.
My three favorite Behind the Music episodes were about bands that basically fell apart because of crazy love triangles. It’s so sad that a woman can tear a band apart, but in these three stories they did.
Fleetwood Mac
The relationship between Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham is a tragic rock ‘n roll love story, but it makes for good music– and a good episode of Behind the Music. Fleetwood Mac is one of my favorite bands of all time and this is one of my favorite performances of all time.
The Mamas and the Papas
Such a fun sing-along kind of band. For a girl who loves to harmonize, this band is so much fun to listen to. They were also torn apart by a love triangle between Michelle Phillips, Denny Doherty, and John Phillips. And Mama Cass Elliot was reportedly always in love with Denny Doherty. What a mess.
But, boy, could they sing!
Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship/Starship
Grace Slick and her ways with her male band mates make this such an interesting story! And I love listening to Somebody to Love and White Rabbit on repeat!
I’m going to sound like an old lady for a second, but they just don’t make music like they used to. Thank goodness for old episodes of Behind the Music.
Did you watch Behind the Music? Do you have a favorite episode?
It’s back on! But its mostly about the more current people now (next one is usher). I just love how they always hit “rock bottom” and then end it on a happy/positive note. Love your blog!
Yes, I watched and loved it back in the day. 🙂 haha
But I also watched MTV’s Making the Video. Did you watch that? It was big circa Britney singing “Oops I Did It Again”. In fact, I think that was one of the episodes. I wish they’d bring that one back. But, oh wait… MTV doesn’t show videos anymore. Thaaaat’s right.
Oh yes! They have new episodes on every Monday at 9pm. The latest ones have been DMX, Eve, Courtney Love, Jennifer Hudson, and Jennifer Lopez. I love E! True Hollywood Story too!
So funny because I watched it today. It was a J Lo episode filmed in 2010, so they must still be making the show!
I love this show too! And they do still record it! I have recently seen new episodes of Courtney Love and Jennifer Lopez. Courtney Love’s was interesting to say the least but I still really enjoyed it! I haven’t seen The Mamas and The Papas episode but I do love the Fleetwood Mac one. I love hearing the whole story of how everything started and learning all sorts of stuff that you never knew before. This is probably why I enjoyed Courtney Love’s so much…. although I am not a huge fan of her, it was really intriguing to learn about her childhood and her relationship with Kurt Cobain.
Great post!
I LOVE Behind the Music! The stories are so interesting!
Erin – 1) I think we’re music twins! Seriously, I love all three of these groups, that show and how Stevie and Lindsey look at each other in this performance. 2) Yes, I watched part of the Jennifer Lopez Behind The Music over the weekend, but I’d like more about the 70’s and 80’s groups.
Great post and thanks for sharing that Fleetwood clip, it’s been years since I’ve sat down and watched that 🙂
loving this post! it makes me miss you!! the summer i moved to cola to be your roomie i had jefferson airplane’s, white rabbit on repeat A LOT! if there is anyone that i think of often when i hear the great “classics”, it is you. and i DO miss that show! i actually forgot about it. think i’ll be adding it back soon, even the old ones!
I miss VH1 Pop-up Video. I could watch that show for hours. Miss singing with you friend!
Yes, I used to love watching Behind the Music!! Even if it was the beginning of music videos being replaced with TV shows. I still loved it though. 🙂
P.S. I don’t know if I’ve ever commented before, but I love your blog!
I love that show too!! One of my favorites was Milli Vanilli! Not sure why..not because of their music. Or Def Leppard. You can’t beat the story of a one armed drummer comeback!! I think they made a few new ones recently. I think I remember a Nelly or Lil Wayne episode.
Mailins right, pop up video Thriller was THE.BEST!! or Rick Astley “Never Gonna Give You Up” 🙂 major guilty pleasure!!
LOVED Behind the Music and Fleetwood Mac’s The Dance album was one of my first CDs and I still love it to this day! I used to want to dance to Silver Springs at my wedding, but now I’m not sure it would be too appropriate! Ha! But it is a beautiful song! This is the first time I’ve seen the performance and I LOVED seeing Stevie and Lindsey sing to each other. Always loved the name Stevie for a little girl too. Haha
There are new-ish ones. BUT THEY SUCK. This was my favorite thing to watch in the dorms.
Me, too! I did notice that they were new episodes on recently, but I wish they would play the oldies. Especially the Stevie Nicks one, which was just as good as Fleetwood Mac. 🙂 Also loved Pop Up Video on VH1. Just wish all of those music stations would play more music-based programming like the 80s and 90s!
I like all of these, but my favorite Behind the Music is probably Heart. I love these women! The episode has just the right amount of drama and journeying and betrayal and reinvention. T and I actually have a funny long-standing argument about ’80s Heart v. ’70s Heart. It can get heated!
That particular Fleetwood Mac video is so incredibly telling. You can look at it and see that they are together again for a brief time and that time has not healed the wounds that exist. They are all so somber, too…not a one looks like they’re enjoying the time together like they have on past videos of concerts. You can also see the love that’s still there between Lindsay and Stevie. Great video – and one of my favorite songs, bands & Behind the Music episodes, too!
I think they just recently brought it back! I watched the Christina Aguilera episode yesterday and they concluded with talking about her new Bionic CD which came out last month. I miss the days when VH1 and MTV actually played/cared about music as opposed to countless reality dating shows.
I LOVED that show. That and Pop-up Video. Even if I didn’t like the music or the band, I could still watch because it was so fascinating! They really need to bring both of those back. As in, tomorrow.
Oh my goodness; I LOVE behind the music! I was home sick from work yesterday and caught an awesome one about J-Lo. It always makes me respect the artist more than I originally may have; especially after you’ve heard their story!
…and because of this post, i just dug out my “The Dance” cd.
One of the most famous SNL skits of all time….Behind the Music…Blue Oyster Cult.
I love Behind the Music, but the best are the really tragic ones, like New Edition, TLC
I loved this show! I don’t think they do it anymore which is a crying shame. My favorite episode was the Mamas and the Papas one. I love that band and I love crazy drama (on TV!) so it made for a great episode.
Which leads me to how disappointing all the stuff coming out about John Phillips is. Cue more crazy drama…