Breaking the Band

Poison: The true story behind the split of heavy metal band Poison is spotlighted, which explores various obstacles they faced during their tenure that includes jealousies and power struggles, along with worsening addictions and fights.

The inside story of rock n roll band Aerosmith is explored, which features insight from those who were there that includes manager Tim Collins, who was behind the groups resurrection in the 80s, and how the band survived success for five decades.

Simon & Garfunkel: Simon & Garfunkel were the most successful folk-rock duo of the 1960s selling almost 40 million albums worldwide. Their distinct melodies and songs helped define a decade but at the height of their success, just four years after they burst into public consciousness, the duo split up. The former childhood best friends suffered from jealously, rivalry and betrayals.

The Police: In the early 1980s, The Police were hailed as the biggest band in the world, selling over 50 million albums. Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland dominated the charts and packed out stadiums and then, shockingly, split while at the peak of their rock and roll stardom. Rumors of Sting's fast growing ego, personality clashes and physical fights grew but was this band's implosion really down to just the ambitions of lead singer, Sting or were other factors at work? Breaking the Band: The Police tells the story of a band that defined an era, and reveals the truth behind why they were torn apart.

Led Zeppelin split on December 4th 1980, 2 months after the tragic death of iconic drummer, John Bonham. Throughout the 1970’s, at the height of the bands powers, Led Zeppelin became the world’s first rock supergroup, selling over 300 million albums and headlining 600 concerts worldwide. Zeppelin’s rock star excesses became the stuff of legend, and dark rumours swirled around their closely guarded inner circle as everything Zeppelin touched miraculously turned to gold. But after nearly a decade at the top, disaster engulfed the band, and fans speculated that Zeppelin was finally paying the price for their huge success. And 40 years after the split, Zeppelin’s popularity still hasn’t faded; fans, new and old, clamour for a final reunion, which has been described as the “billion dollar tour” by promoters worldwide.

Formed in 1985, Guns N' Roses is regarded as one of the best rock bands of all time and its album, 'Appetite for Destruction' is the best-selling debut in U.S. history. The band's potent mix of hard rock and beautiful melodies, coupled with insightful and emotional lyrics helped them cross over into the mainstream, resulting in over 100 million record sales. But behind the immense fame and success lay chaos.

The Supremes were the greatest girl band ever. Over the course of the 60’s they had 12 Billboard chart topping hits, including 5 consecutive number 1’s - still a record for a girl band. They were an international sensation – three teenage, African American girls from the Detroit projects who conquered the world. Berry Gordy, the boss of Motown, moulded Mary Wilson, Flo Ballard and Diana Ross into music stars as The Supremes. When they first got together, they were inseparable, but as their fame grew something happened to shatter the bonds between these friends. Diana Ross rose to become a superstar, but for another band member it would end in a tragedy of drink, despair and death. Told through the first hand testimony of those that were there, including original band member Mary Wilson, and with expert psychological analysis from Dr Linda Papadopoulos, this is the story of the Break Up of the Supremes.

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

In the late 80s, notorious LA rap group NWA rocked the world with their brutal, violent music about racism and police brutality. Known as ‘the most dangerous band in the world’, their first album Straight outta Compton changed the face of rap music and went triple platinum, yet after only three short years the band split up. Breaking the Band – NWA uncovers the greed, violence and recriminations that led the members of NWA to tear themselves apart, as told by the people who were there.

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.