Eras
Music
About
The stories of the biggest artists in the world. We delve deep into the BBC archive and speak to the people who were there, as we look back on their most iconic eras.
Episodes
- Phil Collins: Episode 5: The Man Himself
In the final episode of the Eras series, host Zoe Ball speaks with Phil Collins about his career and personal life. The episode features reflections on his music, health struggles, and insights from Robert Plant, Mike Rutherford, and Nic C…
- Phil Collins: Episode 4: Against All Odds
This episode explores Phil Collins' life and career in the 1990s and 2000s, covering his tabloid controversies, departure from Genesis, temporary retirement, and eventual return to music despite health challenges.
- Phil Collins: Episode 3: The Imperial Years
In this episode of Eras, Zoe Ball explores Phil Collins's rise to global megastardom in the mid-1980s, covering his successful solo career and work with Genesis despite critical backlash and mounting personal costs.
- Phil Collins: Episode 2: Can You Feel It?
Zoe Ball explores Phil Collins' transition to a solo artist in the early 1980s, highlighting the creation of his debut album, his collaborations with Eric Clapton and Robert Plant, and the challenges of newfound fame.
- Phil Collins: Episode 1: In the Beginning…
In this first episode of Eras: Phil Collins, host Zoe explores the musician's early life, from his initial fascination with drums as a child to his audition for the progressive rock band, Genesis.
- Queen: 5. Interview with Queen icons Brian May & Roger Taylor
This episode of Eras features host Bill Bailey in conversation with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor. They discuss the band's history and the legacy of their song 'Bohemian Rhapsody', which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 20…
- Queen: 4. The Reign Continues
This episode of Eras: Queen covers the band's later years, including the album Innuendo, Freddie Mercury's final on-camera appearance, and the tribute concert. It also discusses the Made in Heaven album, the We Will Rock You musical, the B…
- Queen: 3. Heavy Is The Crown
This episode of Eras: Queen, hosted by Bill Bailey, examines the impact of fame on the band. It covers their early 80s hiatus, their return with 'The Works', the iconic Live Aid performance, their Budapest concert, and how they dealt with…
- Queen: 2. Coronation
Bill Bailey details Queen's near-failure in 1975, their gamble on "Bohemian Rhapsody," and their rise to stadium-shaking fame in the late 70s and early 80s, marked by synth experimentation and international tours.
- Queen: 1. Ascension
In the first episode of Eras: Queen, Bill Bailey recounts the band's formation in the late 1960s, their early performances, and the recording of their first three albums. The episode explores how Freddie, Brian, Roger, and John united thro…
- Bob Marley: 4. Legend
This episode of Eras focuses on the final chapter of Bob Marley's life, celebrating his enduring legacy. Friends and collaborators discuss his activism, spirituality, and musical achievements.
- Bob Marley: 3. War
This episode of Eras: Bob Marley details the Reggae superstar's life during a politically tumultuous election year in Jamaica. Violence at his Kingston home prompts a move, setting the stage for his iconic legacy.
- Bob Marley: 1. Soon Come
This episode of Eras: Bob Marley explores the early life of the reggae superstar, from his beginnings in Jamaica to his first steps in the music industry and formation of The Wailers. Featuring new interviews and BBC archive material, the…
- Bob Marley: 2. Catch A Fire
This episode of Eras covers Bob Marley's early career in 1972 London with The Wailers, detailing their pivotal meeting with Island Records' Chris Blackwell and the internal band dynamics.
- Bob Marley: 5. Interview with Cedella & Skip Marley
Trevor Nelson speaks with Cedella and Skip Marley about the life and enduring influence of Bob Marley, reggae's global superstar, on the 80th anniversary of his birth.
- Sting: 1. I’ve Always Been Famous
This episode of Eras explores the early life and music of Sting, guided by Vernon Kay. It covers his journey from Wallsend to Punk-era London, featuring Sting's own words from BBC archives and new interviews.
- Sting: 2. New York, Newcastle
This episode traces the journey of The Police, highlighting their rapid ascent from small venues to arena rock success like Shea Stadium, and the internal dynamics as Sting's songwriting influence grew. It features archive material and int…
- Sting: 3. Consider Me Gone
This episode follows Sting's early solo career after The Police, highlighting his embrace of jazz and melody, his contributions to pop philanthropy, and his efforts to forge a better world, drawing from archive material and new interviews.
- Sting: 4. Legacy
This episode of Eras features Vernon Kay discussing Sting's refusal to be musically pigeonholed, highlighting his diverse influences and enduring career that spans decades.
- ABBA: 1. The Road to Waterloo
This episode of Eras explores the story behind the Swedish pop group ABBA, focusing on their journey to winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Waterloo.' Host Sara Cox uses archive material and expert insights to delve into the gro…
- ABBA: 2. The Arrival
In the second episode of ABBA: Eras, host Sara Cox recounts ABBA's journey from being considered one-hit wonders after "Waterloo" to achieving global superstardom.
- ABBA: 3. Said and Done
Sara Cox chronicles ABBA's journey in 1979, a period of global fame marked by personal strain and the release of sophisticated music, exploring the factors leading to the band's eventual end.
- ABBA: 4. Thank You For The Music
This episode covers ABBA's 'indefinite hiatus' after a decade of success, focusing on their individual paths and eventual comeback. It explores their enduring legacy across music, theater, and film.
- ABBA: 5. ABBA Voyage
In Episode 5 of Eras, Sara Cox interviews Svana Gisla and Ludvig Andersson about the ABBA Voyage show. They discuss the concept's origins, the production process, and ABBA's future.
- The Beatles: 1. Rock n' Roll
This episode chronicles The Beatles' ascent to global superstardom, covering their formative years, the development of their sound and image, and the crucial decisions that led to their success. Featuring rare BBC interviews, it celebrates…
- The Beatles: 2. Riots
Part 2 of Eras: The Beatles covers the band's global ascent in 1964, marked by Beatlemania, movie appearances, and the invention of stadium rock. The episode features unearthed BBC Archive interviews narrated by Martin Freeman.
- The Beatles: 3. Rebellion
Part 3 of Eras: The Beatles focuses on 1966, when the band faced intense pressures from fame, questioning their career path. This led to their decision to stop performing live and embrace the studio, creating the concept album Sgt. Pepper.
- The Beatles: 4. Revolution
This episode of Eras examines the period after 1967 when The Beatles faced an uncertain future, internal pressures, and artistic divergence, ultimately leading to their breakup. Martin Freeman discusses the music and events from Magical My…
- The Beatles: 5. Reincarnation
Part 5 of Eras explores the Beatles' 1970 breakup, the members' subsequent solo careers, and the enduring impact of the band.
- The Beatles: 6. Now And Then
This episode of Eras: The Beatles details the creation of the band's final single, 'Now and Then.' It features insights from Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sean Ono Lennon, and Olivia Harrison on how a John Lennon demo tape was finally compl…
- Kylie Minogue: 1. She Should Be So Lucky
In the first episode of Eras: Kylie Minogue, Scott Mills explores the early career of the pop star, focusing on her time with producers Stock, Aitken, and Waterman. It covers her discovery of collaborators and image-making as Britpop emerg…
- Kylie Minogue: 2. She Don’t Need Anyone
This episode of Eras focuses on Kylie Minogue's 1990s career, detailing her shift from Stock Aitken and Waterman to Deconstruction Records. It highlights her experimentation with new collaborations and image, her resistance to being typeca…
- Kylie Minogue: 3. She Can’t Get You Out of Her Head
This episode of Eras celebrates Kylie Minogue's iconic third era, beginning in 2000 with hits like 'Can't Get You Out of My Head.' It covers her public battle with breast cancer in 2005 and her subsequent strength and determination, featur…
- Kylie Minogue: 4. She Hears It and She Knows
This episode of Eras celebrates pop icon Kylie Minogue, tracing her career's evolution through significant musical periods, including her 2012 album and the recent hit 'Padam Padam'. Scott Mills hosts the celebration.
- Kylie Minogue: 5. The Interview
Scott Mills interviews Kylie Minogue about her 35-year career. The conversation took place before her headline set at Radio 2 in the Park 2023.