Then, we explore the life and career of Aretha Franklin. This multiple Grammy® winner is also known as the reigning and undisputed "Queen of Soul." Franklin has created an amazing legacy that spans an incredible six decades, from her first recording as a teenage gospel star to her current RCA Records release. She was even the recipient of the U.S.A.'s highest civilian honor, The Presidential Medal Of Freedom!

Run-DMC is a Grammy®-nominated hip-hop trio from Queens, New York. Founded in 1981, they are considered among the most influential artists in hip-hop and helped usher in the genre's increasing popularity in the 1980s. Run-DMC was the first hip-hop group to go platinum and double-platinum, securing them a spot in music history!

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" and "Georgia on My Mind."

Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, responsible for hits such as "Both Sides Now" and "Big Yellow Taxi," is widely considered 1960s and '70s folk royalty. Leading music critics cast fresh light on her career.

Fronted by Eric Clapton, Cream was the prototypical power trio, playing a mix of blues, rock and psychedelia while focusing on chunky riffs and fiery guitar solos. In a mere three years, the band sold 15 million records, played to SRO crowds throughout the U.S. and Europe, and redefined the instrumentalist's role in rock.

The Byrds pioneered folk-rock, combining traditional acoustic music with early Sixties pop. The group's signature sunny melodies, lush harmonies, and ringing 12-string guitars - as well as their eventual exploration of psychedelic rock - made for some of the decade's best singles. The band continued to do strong work (including foray into country), establishing a sonic model for many of the Seventies biggest rock bands, including the Eagles, Tom Petty, and the latter-day Fleetwood Mac.

The Yardbirds may not have been as famous as their British Invasion contemporaries the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Who, but the pioneering blues-based combo introduced three of the most famous and influential guitarists of the rock era: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. Their innovations - a revved-up instrumental attack, controlled use of feedback, distortion and fuzz paved the way for psychedelic rock, progressive rock, heavy metal, Southern boogie and even punk

This program features archive material, music videos "I Want Your Sex" and "Too Funky" and exclusive insights from music critics and journalists.

Known as the voice of soul music, Otis Redding died in a plane crash at 26 years old. His song "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay" hit No. 1 in 1968. Leading music critics cast fresh light on the career of Otis Redding.

Earth, Wind & Fire is an American band that has spanned the musical genres of R&B, soul, funk, jazz, disco, pop, rock, Latin and African. They are one of the most successful bands of all time. Leading music critics cast fresh light on their career.

The Pretenders, originally three Englishmen and an American woman, emerged at the close of the '70s as one of the new wave's most commercially successful groups. Leading music critics cast fresh light on the career of The Pretenders.

Talking Heads were an American rock band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, and Jerry Harrison. Leading music critics cast fresh light on the career of Talking Heads.

The Police became globally popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s and are regarded as one of the first new-wave groups to achieve mainstream success, playing a style of rock influenced by punk, reggae, and jazz. Leading music critics cast fresh light on the band.

Leading music critics cast fresh light on the career of Neil Diamond. Rock and roll took American youth by storm in the 1950s and Neil, too, fell under its spell.