VH1's Legends
1996•8.0/10
Documentary
Ratings
🎬TMDb
8.0/10(1)
Legends is a music biography television series on VH1. Originally sponsored by AT&T Corporation, this series documents those artists who have made a significant contribution to music history to be profiled on the show. The show goes in-depth into the entire career of the artist, with each episode containing rare concert and music video footage. The initial episodes were narrated by Kris Kristofferson, however other narrators have included Sheryl Crow, Steven Tyler, Ossie Davis, Levon Helm, Henry Rollins and James Justice. Recent episodes have been hosted by William Baldwin. Tina Turner, Elton John, Pink Floyd and John Lennon are the only artists so far to have been profiled on both Legends and Behind The Music.
Production
VH1 Rock Docs
Language
EN
Status
Ended
First Aired
December 2, 1996
Last Aired
December 18, 2000
Where to Watch
Region US · Lang EN
US
No providers available for this region.
Seasons & Episodes
Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.
Season
E1
The Who
Air date: 1996-12-02
Unveiling the British rock band The Who. Member Keith Moon, was best known for his drum destruction in concerts along with, Pete Townsend's guitar smashing ritual on stage as well. The band sold millions until losing their drummer, Keith Moon on September 7, 1978 at 32 from an overdose of his medication.
E2
The Grateful Dead
Air date: 1996-12-09
Rocking in this documentary about a rock band "The Grateful Dead". The band sold 35 million albums and selling out concerts. Front man, Jerry Garcia had been dealing with a vicious drug addiction while he was in the band. He's been in and out of rehab until, he met his fate on August 9, 1995 at 53.
E3
Marvin Gaye
Air date: 1996-12-16
E4
Eric Clapton
Air date: 1996-12-23
E5
The Doors
Air date: 1996-12-30
Profiling 1960's-70's band The Doors. Charismatic lead singer Jim Morrison, was known for his poems which later became songs. Interviews with the surviving members, archival interviews with Morrison himself along with record execs. Also included are the news clips of Morrison's 1969 arrest from indecent exposure at a concert in Florida. Morrison, met his fate on July 3, 1971 while soaking in a bathtub in France.
E6
U2
Air date: 1997-01-06
E7
David Bowie
Air date: 1997-01-13
Unfolding the career of rock star David Bowie. Interviews and concert clips included.
E8
Johnny Cash
Air date: 1997-01-20
E9
Tina Turner
Air date: 1997-01-27
The story of Tina Turner, from her childhood in Tennessee, her rise and fall with Ike Turner and her ascent to solo super-stardom. It includes many interviews, pictures as well as concert and music video footage.
E10
Curtis Mayfield
Air date: 1997-02-03
E11
Aretha Franklin
Air date: 1997-02-10
E12
Elton John
Air date: 1997-02-17
E13
John Fogerty
Air date: 1997-02-24
E14
B.B. King
Air date: 1997-03-03
E15
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Air date: 1997-03-10
E16
Queen
Air date: 1997-03-17
Outlining the British rock band Queen. Queen, sold millions of albums and selling out concerts. Front man Freddie Mercury, the talented star who touched fans all over the world until he met his fate on November 24, 1991, from complications of AIDS at 45. Interviews and concert clips included.
E17
Bruce Springsteen
Air date: 1997-03-24
Profiling New Jersey native rock star Bruce Springsteen.
E18
Janis Joplin
Air date: 1997-03-31
Outlining the life and career of blues/rock star Janis Joplin. Joplin, was known for her hits "Piece of My Heart" and "Me and Bobby McGee". Inside this documentary are interviews with Janis' sister Laura along with friends and band mates. Concert clips are also included along news clips about her arrest for indecent language at a concert and, her untimely death at 27 on October 4, 1970.
E19
Led Zeppelin
Air date: 1997-04-07
Delving into the amazing career of British rock band Led Zeppelin. Interviews of the surviving members, former manager Peter Grant (died in 1995), concert clips, etc. Fans loved the band, parents hated them. In addition, John Bonham's death was included and, the announcement of the bands disbandment in 1980. Narrarated by Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler.
E20
John Lennon
Air date: 1997-04-14
Unpeeling the life and career of Beatles member, John Lennon. Lennon and the Beatles sold millions until their split in 1970. Sadly, at age 40, Lennon met his bloody demise by Mark David Chapman.
