Rock Legends

Documentary account of the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Historical study of the star-crossed southern rock band The Allman Brothers.

The Kinks were a key part of the 1960s British Invasion, and their early hits such as "You Really Got Me" and "All Day and All of the Night" paved the way for the next decade's hard rock.

The history of the influential punk band Ramones and the bittersweet biographies of the Ramone 'brothers'.

The Byrds pioneer folk rock, combining traditional acoustic music with early Sixties pop; the group's signature sunny melodies, lush harmonies and ringing 12-string guitars make for some of the decade's best singles.

Pioneering blues-based combo the Yardbirds introduce three of the most famous guitarists of the rock era: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page; the band's innovations pave the way for psychedelic rock, heavy metal, Southern boogie and even punk.

Fronted by Eric Clapton, power trio Cream plays a mix of blues, rock and psychedelia while focusing on chunky riffs and fiery guitar solos; in a mere three years, the band sells 15 million records and redefines the instrumentalist's role in rock.

The life and musical career of Joni Mitchell is profiled.

Piano-playing rock 'n' roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis becomes famous for his high-energy stage presence and controversial life.

With its rock-ribbed, austerely precise arrangements and a catalog of songs that linked American folklore to primal myths, the Band -- four Canadians and a Southerner -- makes music that is both earthy and mystical.

Grammy-winning contemporary jazz and rock group Blood, Sweat & Tears took a hiatus from 1981-1984, but has otherwise been active since their founding in 1967.

Singer-songwriter James Taylor creates music that combines folk, rock and pop sensibilities, including such hit songs as "Fire and Rain" and "Shower the People."

Influential rock 'n' roll pioneer Chuck Berry is known for songs including "Maybellene" and "Johnny B. Goode."

With his signature vocal hiccup and hits like "That'll Be the Day," "Rave On," "Peggy Sue" and "Not Fade Away," Buddy Holly was a rock 'n' roll pioneer, as well as one of the genre's first great singer-songwriters.

Blind musician Ray Charles was a pioneer of soul music, integrating rhythm and blues, gospel, pop and country to create hits like "Unchain My Heart," "Hit the Road Jack" and "Georgia on My Mind."

Multiple Grammy winner and "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin is known for hits such as "Respect," "Freeway of Love" and "I Say a Little Prayer."

Founded in 1981 in Queens, N.Y., Grammy-nominated hip-hop trio Run-DMC help usher in the genre's increasing popularity in the 1980s.