User Reviews

A documentary series on the world's most important bands and musicians: their rise, fame, and sometimes, fall.

Great series. Shows the history of just about every major musical artist: their history, their talent, their flaws. Quite edifying and not a little nostalgic.

Behind the Music, a show that has expanded since it's creation in 1997, is something that while it is entertaining on that, it's funny because it's not me level, it is also depressing on a level. Because, in it's unseen baby boomer conciet level, a lot of times it doesn't seem just like a look into the stars and musicians that fell off, but also as a warning or something for the next generation of stars and musicians. Like this show is saying "don't take crack like Motley Crue" or "don't get your arm chopped off like the drummer in Def Leppard" or "please don't act like Rick James". So while I guess they have the right idea, they might be inadvertantly trying to make the next generation more pussified (or is that the right word) and thus will be rock stars that won't do drugs and won't get in trouble and all that, and while I guess that's all in good in that whole baby boomer thing, it will make rock softer and rap lighter. Plus, a lot of times the stars have they're behind the music just so they can have a little more push for they're latest album.

So while I always have this mindset while watching the show, it is also good to watch on a "at least I'm not them" level. Sporadically entertaining shows though do appear including- Rick James, John Lennon, Keith Moon, Selena (because there's no chance of her having a comeback), and Weird Al Yankovic (I've gotta give VH1 some props for at least putting on ONE Behind the Music that is funny). Somewhere between B- and C+

When BEHIND THE MUSIC on VH1 first came out it was Must See TV. We never missed an episode. Even when it wasnt an artist we particularly cared for, we watched (an example: TLC who I dont like ANY of thier songs...but thier story was quite interesting: how they were selling millions of albums and making very little money or (who can ever forget?) Lisa torching the house because her boyfriend didnt buy her sneakers. My all-time favorite Behind The Musics were Milli Vanilli and Leif Garrett....again, not my favorite celebrities, but still great stories! I remember one year on my birthday they were going to do Bon Jovi. I was psyched. When I watched it within the first ten minutes you were pretty much told that Bon Jovi had fully consented to this BTM and that no dirt was going to be dished. Well, what fun is that?????!!!!! Then a couple of months later BTM was doing newer artists like Barenaked Ladies and Creed...who had only been around a few years and not really made thier marks on the world(as far as Im concerned: neither band HAS made thier mark to date.) So i lost interest and stopped watching. Now this week while watching SOMETHING ELSE on VH1 I saw a commercial for BEHIND THE MUSIC BRITNEY SPEARS. Oh please! Lets list the great songwriters of our time folks: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and...Britney Spears???(does she even WRITE those bubblegum melodys, or are they indeed written for her?) Tell us how in 4 years she has gone from a flirty school girl to a serious artist. oh wait...she hasnt. Note to BTM 20 years from now when we're all wondering whatever happened to her (like Tiffany!) THATS when you do a show telling us about her substance abuse, relationship problems, and short-lived career in porn.(if anything that exciting ever happens to Brit, and I doubt it will)

While I really enjoyed this show, I found one thing about it quite amusing; with the exception of Ted Nugent and Jim Croce, they could have filmed one synopsis, or template, with a place-holder that said "Insert artist name here." Seems every famous rock star from the 60s and 70s has almost the same story - they have talent and as a result they get very rich and famous in their early 20s. They begin using drugs, as a result they lose their families then eventually their band breaks up. Fueled by that, they sink further into chemical dependency and almost die. Then they meet a new wife, go through treatment, make up with their old friends, put their band back together and are now struggling desperately to re-capture the fame and prestige they once had. It fits for most artists and I find that quite amusing. An amazing testament to the power the record companies and promoters had in the 1970s. Very enjoyable to watch just the same.

When Behind The Music debuted in 1997 with the Milli Vanilli story, it was an instant hit and became one of the finest biographical series ever probably second only to A&E's "Biography". Its in-depth and gripping situations definately makes it a spectacular series. It also still ranks above its lame knock-offs like the E! True Hollywood Story and Sci-ography. You probably won't find a better music series. Without a doubt, a 10/10!

When they started this documentary series VH1 wanted to highlight music acts that were once so big you thought they would never come back down to earth.Hence the "shows" on Milli Vanilli and MCHammer, BTM's first two shows.They were successful.These stories about Milli Vanilli and MC Hammer were the usual entertainment stories of acts rising like a rocket and falling like a stick it is as good lesson for anyone whether in the music business or not.

BTM has had many shows on many acts that had the problem of quick overwhelming success. These various acts were not able to handle success for a variety of reasons falling down back to where they were previously in their careers.BTM has portrayed various music acts in the three years the show has been on the air.It is a decent documentary,not the best mind you,but somewhat good enough for those who could not remember the acts they have showcased on BTM.

The show should be called on the carpet for having shows concerning performers that really shouldn't be showcased here,Madonna,Cher,Bette Midler,Celine Dion,these are celeberties who are in the tabloids all the time,a show about them in something like Behind The Music is pure free publicity.

Or how about acts that are currently still in vogue with the general public,Shania Twain,Celine Dion,Ricky Martin,Dr.Dre,TLC,Goo Goo Dolls.These acts still sell tickets to shows people of today want to go to folks,they aren't novelty or oldies acts,their careers haven't had the time for a true retrospective to be put forth about them and VH1 should ashamed about doing a show on BTM with them in it.

Behind The Music is a documentary about acts like Peter Frampton who sold the most albums in one year with "Frampton Comes Alive" in 1976,only to have nothing in the bank and walking the streets by the late 1980's,discarded and forgotten.

It is a documentary about acts like Vanilla Ice who was so hot and so popular at one time with his hit "Ice Baby Baby" you had to live in a cave not to know who Vanilla Ice was, now just another guy named joe settling down to a normal life trying to recapture the old magic he once had but finding out the success he had comes around just once.

It is a documentary about acts like Jim Croce,who worked long and hard for success,a talented man who finally was seeing some success with "You Mess Around With Jim" among other hits,Croce was just about to settle down and stop touring and live with his wife and young child until tragedy stuck and Jim Croce was left us due to an unfortunate plane crash.

Behind The Music should do more shows on acts like Jim Croce and give them 90 minutes to do their story,like they needlessly did for Cher,patheic.Done longer and without glossing over facts and not being too cheesy BTM ,a very good documentary program can become a better one.

This is probably the best show that was ever on VH-1. I love the fact that it will look at how much of a price today's rock stars had to pay in order to become as big as they are and the fact that being a rock star isn't as glamorous as it seems. However, my favorite features have always been the ones that look at a particular year (1968, 1970, 1972 etc.) or the ones that look at cultural phenomenas (Woodstock and Studio 54). I wish VH-1 would bring back this show because it is sorely missed.

Behind the Music is the worst music show ever. All they're interested in is pointing out the shortcomings of all of the artists they profile. They deride the heck out of 'em, like a tabloid show. I liked it at first, thinking these quirks simply a "new-show-with-no-budget" thing. But BtM never changed.

I think that Behind the Music is such a great show, it focuses on the lives of famous rock bands that made it big and fell apart, I've watched episodes of bands like Foreigner, Journey, Aerosmith (one of my favorites), Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Quiet Riot and a few more and I would like for them to do such bands/singers like Ronnie James Dio, Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple/Rainbow or maybe Axe.

i thought that behind the music is a very interesting show. Only because it outlines peoples lives and there up and downs. I was most pleased with the legendary Aaliyah esipode. Which was very well display and done. The man who was reading the sad events and other events in her life was most pleasing and really made you think. I do revise you to watch as its most interesting. But not just the Aaliyah esipode but many others such as Lisa left eye lopez, Elvis, John Lennon and many more. Because they are all really inspiring and excellent to watch on a wet Sunday afternoon.

From Alex R.I.P Aaliyah

VH1 always has something interesting on tv, and this show is definitely no exception! VH1 Behind the Music gives some of the greatest information on some of the world's greatest music artists (i.e. John Denver, Madonna, Cher, Tony Orlando) and events (i.e. The Day the Music Died, The Music of 1968, Woodstock) and many more! A must watch for all music fans of different generations!

When are the DVD's coming out???? I want the sets!!! Release Release!!! Please? Poison, Blondie, Motley Crue...and ALL the others!!!! You are missing out on a great opportunity to make money from us freaks who will watch these over and over!

not much else to say...please release.

now i'm just typing to meet the requirements to get this posted. apparently i need to write 10 lines to qualify for posting...let's see if this works.

nope, not enough, okay so here's more... pointless lines with no meaning...please please please release the DVD's of Behind the Music!

. . . Like if I had a group and paid him and maybe VHI for titles, I wonder if he would make me a "BTM" style video of my group.

Just wondering. And if you read this leave a message on here so I can reach you.

I think this show is great. Almost all of VH1's shows are good. I do think E's This is good to, but it's voice over person changes. I like how "BTM", "I Love. . .", and "The Surreal Life" voice over guys stay the same. They are two of the best in the business. I think that E! needs to pay alittle more attention to VH1 when it comes to that sort of thing.

I Am Compelled To Watch This And Some Like MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice, And Of Course Milli Vanilli (Both Versions) 2 To 3 Times. Whoever Thought Of The Idea To Start This Fine Show Should Get Commended Or, In Due Time Get Inducted Into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Because This Show Is A Historic Dent In The History Of Rock And Roll.

I got the VH1 Behind the Music documentary on Guns N' Roses and thought it was really good (as far as TV specials go). It wasn't extremely in-depth but it had some good interviews and a few funny anecdotes. It also exposed some of the sleazy attributes of the band that are not typically focused on, at least not today.

I have seen a few of the other episodes on television (in segments) and they were all pretty good as well. The one on Madonna taught me a lot (not that I necessarily WANTED to know very much!).

If you like music and want to see the "behind-the-scenes" (or some of it) of your favorite band, check this out. VH1 isn't usually a reliable channel for quality programming but this is certainly one of their better outputs.