The BEST episodes of Behind the Music

Every episode of Behind the Music ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Behind the Music!

Behind the Music details the rise and fall of many of the most popular musical acts of the last 25 years. The show was nominated for the Emmy for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series for four consecutive years.

Last Updated: 9/29/2025Network: Paramount+Status: Continuing

10.00

1 votes

#1 - Shania Twain

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/4/1998

The pop-country superstar who overcame a tragic childhood to find multi-platinum success in the '90s.

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10.00

29 votes

#2 - Keith Moon

Season 1 - Episode 30 - Aired 5/31/1998

The drummer for the legendary British rock group The Who, who suffered an early demise due to a drug overdose.

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10.00

1 votes

#3 - Boyz II Men

Season 5 - Episode 21 - Aired 6/16/2002

The R&B quartet that dominated the charts in the early to mid 1990s with record-setting hits such as ""End of the Road"" and ""One Sweet Day.""

Watch Now:Amazon

9.00

1 votes

#4 - Fleetwood Mac

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/7/1997

The legendary rock group, known best for the classic multi-platinum album Rumours, experiences turmoil due to drug use and tumultuous inter-group romances.

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9.00

2 votes

#5 - REO Speedwagon

Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 8/12/2001

The 1980s rock band that hit #1 with ""Keep on Loving You"" and the ballad ""Can't Fight This Feeling.""

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9.00

30 votes

#6 - Pat Benatar

Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/5/2001

The rock singer known for 1980s hits like ""Love Is a Battlefield"" and ""Hit Me With Your Best Shot.""

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9.00

1 votes

#7 - Cher

Season 2 - Episode 25 - Aired 4/11/1999

The iconic recording artist turned Oscar-winning actress who dominated the attention of the press for decades through her fashion choices and romances, as well as her work.

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9.00

1 votes

#8 - Bonnie Raitt

Season 1 - Episode 31 - Aired 6/7/1998

The blues-rock singer/guitarist who battled alcoholism for years, then recovered to find mainstream success and critical acclaim in the 1990s.

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9.00

1 votes

#9 - Elton John

Season 3 - Episode 26 - Aired 3/19/2000

The British singer-songwriter who dominated the charts for three decades with songs ranging from rock to adult contemporary.

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8.67

3 votes

#10 - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/19/1997

The Southern rock group that persevered despite countless tragedies, including a 1977 plane crash that killed three members.

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8.50

2 votes

#11 - The Bangles

Season 3 - Episode 40 - Aired 7/30/2000

The '80s all-female pop-rock band known for such hits as ""Walk Like an Egyptian"" and ""Eternal Flame.""

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8.50

2 votes

#12 - Megadeth

Season 4 - Episode 25 - Aired 4/22/2001

The popular metal band, formed in the 1980s, which continued to sell despite a lack of radio airplay.

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8.50

2 votes

#13 - Judas Priest

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 9/23/2001

The metal band that faced several lawsuits from parents who claimed the group's music caused teenagers to commit suicide.

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8.48

62 votes

#14 - Pantera

Season 9 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/11/2006

This is the story of metal band Pantera, who fought on and triumphantly carried the torch, while waves of grunge and rap-rock took over the radio and video channels. Tragically, guitarist Dimebag Darrell was murdered, shot onstage by a crazed Pantera fan, exactly 24 years to the day after the killing of John Lennon.

Writer: Erik Himmelsbach-Weinstein

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8.00

1 votes

#15 - Chicago

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/15/2000

The rock turned adult contemporary band that stayed together for decades through countless line-up and format changes, recording over 30 top 40 hits.

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8.00

2 votes

#16 - Journey

Season 4 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/18/2001

The San Francisco-based pop-rock group that enjoyed tremendous success throughout the 1980s behind such songs as ""Open Arms"" and ""Don't Stop Believin'.""

8.00

1 votes

#17 - Doobie Brothers

Season 4 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/25/2001

The Bay Area-based rock group that received both major FM radio airplay and pop chart success throughout the 1970s behind hits like ""China Grove"" and ""What a Fool Believes.""

8.00

1 votes

#18 - Billy Idol

Season 4 - Episode 24 - Aired 4/15/2001

The rocker, known for ""Rebel Yell,"" who battled alcohol and drugs and suffered severe injuries in a motorcycle accident.

8.00

1 votes

#19 - Neil Diamond

Season 4 - Episode 35 - Aired 7/22/2001

The pop singer/songwriter who recorded 35 top 40 hits between the mid 1960s and early 1980s.

8.00

1 votes

#20 - Twisted Sister

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 8/19/2001

The '80s heavy metal band that recorded the rock anthem ""We're Not Gonna Take It.""

8.00

1 votes

#21 - Foreigner

Season 5 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/28/2002

The British-American rock group which was one of the top selling rock bands of the late '70s and 1980s, thanks to songs such as ""Double Vision"" and ""Waiting for a Girl Like You.""

8.00

1 votes

#22 - Aerosmith

Season 6 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/1/2002

The Boston-based hard rock band that overcame heavy drug abuse and in-fighting to enjoy a successful career spanning three decades.

8.00

1 votes

#23 - Ratt

Season 9 - Episode 2 - Aired 5/11/2006

This story is really two stories in one, chronicling the rise and fall of hard rocking and hard partying Ratt, and the simultaneous but silent wasting away of guitarist Robbin Crosby, who died in 2002.

8.00

5 votes

#24 - LL Cool J

Season 16 - Episode 2 - Aired 7/29/2021

LL Cool J chronicles his journey from surviving the tough inner city streets of New York to the ups and downs he faced becoming a legendary hip hop star and pop culture icon. Eminem provides insights on how LL has left his mark on the Hip Hop genre.

8.00

4 votes

#25 - Duran Duran

Season 16 - Episode 5 - Aired 8/19/2021

Duran Duran chronicles their journey from ambitious art rockers to one of the biggest bands in the world. For over four decades the band has continued their artistic evolution while managing interpersonal struggles.