Classic Albums

Re-live the Glam era with a behind-the-scenes look at the making of thegroundbreaking albumthat took Lou Reed from cult hero of The Velvet Underground to international superstar as a solo artist. Reed’s second LP, produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, featured the hits “Perfect Day” and “Walk on the Wild Side” and is considered to have been massively influential on generations of musicians.

Discover the stories behind these two groundbreaking albums, produced in 1973 and 1974, that encapsulate the artist’s musicality and wit. Over 30 years, Zappa’s records embraced rock, jazz, funk, blues, doo-wop and classical influences. Lyrically tinged with humor, satire and wry political observation, they also featured excellent musicianship and faultless production.

Explore the album that was a dominating force in 1991, with record sales that surpassed the likes of Michael Jackson, U2 and Dire Straits. Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall shares his musical vision and inspiration behind “Something Got Me Started,” “Your Mirror,” and the title track, while archival footage, promotional clips and exclusive interviews provide the key to its phenomenal success.

Rediscover the landmark album on its 50th anniversary, with new interviews from McLean about its recording and legacy. Released alongside Carole King’s Tapestry, Joni Mitchell’s Blue and Neil Young’s After The Goldrush, American Pie is considered a vital part of what has been called “Rock’s golden year.” A product of its era, the album’s impact, poignancy and relevance have lasted to this day.

Explore the making of one of the most outstanding jazz-rock albums of all time. Aja, the biggest successof Steely Dan’s career, was the result of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker’s relentless perfectionismin the studio. A year in the making, it was rewarded with a Grammy Award and three hit singles. Almost 45 years later, it is as fresh and memorable as it was upon its release in 1997.

Learn the story behind the writing, recording and success of this groundbreaking 1970 album, which defined the sound and style of Heavy Metal more than any other record in rock history. Songs on the band’s second LP, arguably its finest, include “Paranoid,” “Iron Man” and “War Pigs” and catapulted Black Sabbath into the rock stratosphere.

Explore the making of John Lennon’s 1970 first post-Beatles album. Widely regarded as one of his finest, it includes some of the most personal songs he ever wrote, including “Mother,” “Love,” “Working Class Hero,” “Isolation” and “God.” The documentary includes exclusive interviews with Yoko Ono, Ringo Starr and bassist Klaus Voorman along with recorded interviews and archival footage of Lennon.

Learn the definitive story of the making of an album that truly earned its place in the pantheon of rock music history. Fleetwood Mac’s hugely successful Rumours was released in 1977, selling 15 million copies worldwide and was christened Album of the Year at the 1978 Grammy Awards. The LP remained on the U.K. charts for a staggering 433 weeks and on the U.S. Billboard album charts for 130 weeks.

Dive into The Band’s eponymously titled second album, with its musical and lyrical take on America that resonates as strongly today as it did upon its release in 1969. It showcased their brilliant ability to merge a variety of influences and confirms for many music lovers why they will always be The Band. Features interviews with Eric Clapton, George Harrison and surviving members of the group.

Rediscover The Doors’ self-titled album, released in 1967. A mix of blues, rock and jazz, combined with the vocals and lyrics of the legendary Jim Morrison, the result is one of the greatest debut albums of all time that sounds as fresh and exciting today as it did then.

Listen as all four band members tell the story behind one of the greatest albums ever made. Pink Floyd’s masterpiece and a monument of rock history, 1973’s The Dark Side of the Moon claimed a place in the world’s record books when it sold more than 30 million copies and spent 740 weeks on the U.S. charts. It transformed Pink Floyd from a band with a cult following to global stadium superstars.

Explore the story behind the album that made the band a global rock phenomenon in 1975. One of the most expensive, expansive and creative LPs of its time, it propelled them into rock and roll history. The mix of hard rock, pop, opera, music hall camp and traditional folk, utilizing multi-layered guitars, vocal harmonies, piano, a harp, a ukulele and ‘no synthesizers’ combine to make it a classic.