The Day the Rock Star Died

Watch The Day the Rock Star Died

  • 2018
  • 1 Season

The Day the Rock Star Died is a highly acclaimed series on AXS TV that features a unique approach to explore the lives of some of the biggest names in rock music history. The show dives deep into the untimely deaths of these legendary artists using rare archival footage, interviews, and reenactments to present a vivid picture of their contribution to the music industry.

The series takes an emotional and personal approach to recount the lives of these artists, primarily focused on their final days leading up to their deaths. Through the eyes of those who were closest to them, including friends, family, and other industry professionals, the show provides an intimate look into their struggles, achievements, and the experiences that shaped them into the icons that they became.

Each episode of the show is dedicated to one of the most influential musicians who died tragically young. The series features some of the most significant names in rock music history, including Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and John Lennon, among others.

The show offers an in-depth analysis of what made these artists a unique and pivotal part of the music scene. The Day the Rock Star Died takes the audience on an emotional journey through the highs and lows of the musician's lives, exploring the factors that led to their success and ultimate downfall.

The show's exploration of rockstar deaths goes beyond merely chronicling their final days; rather, it offers a compelling insight into their personalities, quirks, and idiosyncrasies that made them stand out in such a competitive industry. We get to know intimately what made these artists tick, and how they rose to fame, and in the end, how their greatness was brought to an abrupt end.

For instance, the episode dedicated to Kurt Cobain takes us back to the late '80s, as Nirvana burst onto the music scene and within a few years had become the voice of a generation. Through interviews conducted with Cobain's close friends and family, the show delves into his depression, addiction, and his relationship with his wife, Courtney Love. We see rare photos and footage of the artist, including some of the early interview clips of Cobain discussing his obsession with death, a prescient theme that would ultimately define his legacy.

Similarly, the episode on Jim Morrison explores the rise of the Doors as they stormed onto the music scene. Using interviews with Morrison's family and people who knew him intimately, we see the genesis of the band from the Venice Beach scene, followed by their eventual demise with the apparent overdose of their lead singer. The show provides insights into Morrison's struggles with addiction and his tumultuous relationship with long-term love, Pamela Courson.

What sets The Day The Rock Star Died apart is the show's attention to detail in crafting an immersive experience, allowing viewers to feel like they're reliving the lives of the artists, rather than merely watching a historical documentary. The re-enactments of the musicians' final days are also poignantly executed, juxtaposed with the interviews that elicit a touching and emotional response from the audience.

Furthermore, the show is sensitively crafted, with significant respect and empathy for the artists and their legacies. The producers have taken care not to exploit or sensationalize the deaths of the artists. Instead, they've focused on presenting a well-rounded and insightful perspective on what made these superstars such irreplaceable fixtures of the music world.

In conclusion, The Day the Rock Star Died's strength lies in its ability to provide a deep, multi-layered portrait of some of rock music's biggest names. Through interviews with people who knew them best, archived footage, and reenactments, the show creates a compelling narrative of each artist's career and sudden end. Fans of rock music will find it to be both, a fascinating and emotional journey that takes them deep into the lives of some of the most influential icons of the genre.

The Day the Rock Star Died
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Seasons
Buddy Holly
15. Buddy Holly
January 27, 2019
With hits like "That'll be the Day," "Everyday," and "Peggy Sue,” Buddy Holly was a central figure of late 1950s rock and roll. In early 1959, he assembled a new band and embarked on a tour of the midwestern U.S. that ended in tragedy.
Michael Hutchence
14. Michael Hutchence
January 20, 2019
Michael Hutchence was the founding member, lead singer and lyricist of rock band INXS from 1977 until his death on November 22, 1997. Hutchence was the archetypal rock showman. He exuded an overtly sexual, macho cool with his flowing locks, and lithe and exuberant stage movements. His private life was often reported in the Australian and international press, with a string of love affairs with prominent actresses, models and singers.
Amy Winehouse
13. Amy Winehouse
January 13, 2019
Amy Winehouse was an English singer and songwriter whose stunning voice easily followed in the footsteps of Janis Joplin and Billie Holiday. Her debut album, Frank, was a critical success in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. Her follow-up album, Back to Black, led to five 50th Annual Grammy Awards, and a record of most Grammys won by a female artist in one night. Her album Back to Black posthumously became one the UK's best-selling albums of the 21st century.
Keith Moon
12. Keith Moon
December 18, 2018
Keith Moon was an English drummer for the rock music band The Who. Noted for his unique style, alcohol addiction and his eccentric, often self-destructive behaviour, Moon developed a reputation for smashing his kit on stage and destroying hotel rooms on tour. His drumming continues to be praised by critics and musicians to this day. Moon was voted the second-greatest drummer in history by Rolling Stone.
David Bowie
11. David Bowie
December 11, 2018
David Bowie was the leading figure in popular music for over five decades and acclaimed by critics and musicians for his innovative work. His career was marked by reinvention and visual presentation and his music and stagecraft significantly influenced popular music. During his lifetime, his record sales, estimated at 140 million albums worldwide, made him one of the best-selling music artists of his time.
Hank Williams
10. Hank Williams
December 4, 2018
Despite his short life, Hank Williams is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th Century and has been cited as a key musical influence on Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones.
John Denver
9. John Denver
November 27, 2018
Often described as "among the most beloved entertainers of his era,” John Denver recorded and released approximately 300 songs, with total sales of over 33 million records worldwide. His lyrics reflected his joy in nature and disdain for city life, his enthusiasm for music, and his relationship trials.
Michael Jackson
8. Michael Jackson
November 20, 2018
Michael Jackson was a singer, songwriter, dancer and known simply as "The King of Pop." His contributions to music, dance, and highly publicized personal life made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades.
Johnny Cash
7. Johnny Cash
November 13, 2018
One of the all-time best-selling music artists, Johnny Cash is known for his signature songs "I Walk the Line," "Folsom Prison Blues," "Ring of Fire," "A Boy Named Sue," along with duet with future wife, June Carter, called "Jackson." Although he was known as a country music icon, his music spanned genres and his sound embraced rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk music, and gospel music.
Whitney Houston
6. Whitney Houston
November 6, 2018
Summary is not available.
Janis Joplin
5. Janis Joplin
October 30, 2018
Summary is not available.
Jim Morrison
4. Jim Morrison
October 23, 2018
Jim Morrison is one of the most iconic and influential frontmen in rock music history. He helped found The Doors in 1965 and recorded six studio albums with them. He earned #1 singles, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and embodied the prototypical definition of a "rock star." Morrison's rebellious attitude and scandalous antics made him an icon in the world of rock & roll and unfortunately may have led to his untimely death. He died on July 3rd, 1971 at the age of 27 in Paris. As no autopsy was performed, the exact cause of Morrison's death remains a mystery to this day.
Elvis Presley
3. Elvis Presley
October 16, 2018
There is no denying that Elvis Presley is a true music icon and has definitely earned the title of the "the King of Rock and Roll." With an enormous body of hit singles, commercial success in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel music, he is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. Prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health and he died suddenly in 1977 at his Graceland estate at just 42 years of age. However, Presley's legacy lives on as one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century.
Jimi Hendrix
2. Jimi Hendrix
October 9, 2018
Although Jimi Hendrix's mainstream career only lasted four years, he made an impact on the world of music that will last forever. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame even describes him as "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music." He revolutionized the way that we look at an electric guitar, could play solos like nobody else, and set a new standard for all guitarists moving forward. This week, we'll look into the life of the incredible rock legend, the hits he created, and the iconic performances that he played.
Tom Petty
1. Tom Petty
October 2, 2018
Tom Petty was the lead singer of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, formed in 1976. He was also a co-founder of the late 1980s supergroup the Traveling Wilburys. He recorded many hit singles with the Heartbreakers and as a solo artist. In his career, he sold more than 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Learn more about his incredible career and lasting legacy on the anniversary of his death.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    October 2, 2018