Behind the Music

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)

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!

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.

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!