MUSIC

The greatest American figures cemented themselves in the fabric of history through their fearless experimentation and innovation within their craft. However, these efforts do not always translate into commercial or critical success, sometimes even eliciting strongly negative responses. The American Masters subjects on this list ...

This fall, as the world remembers John Lennon on what would have been his 80th birthday, and the 40th anniversary of his death, American Masters presents LENNONYC, a film that takes an intimate look at the time Lennon, Yoko Ono and their son, Sean, spent ...

Janis' one-time lover -- recalls Janis' encounter with a group of armed Hell's Angels. They had come to her house in the middle of the night, raiding her kitchen and making a commotion. When Niehaus failed to make them leave, Janis came out and told ...

"I feel like her legacy has been so much about her death to this point, and I hope that people understand her life a little bit more and how much she loved life and performing and being Janis Joplin." Director Amy Berg had the ability ...

In this excerpt from American Masters - Janis Joplin: Little Girl Blue, Janis' letter home reveals a glimpse of the troubles she had with her band, Big Brother and the Holding Company, until she finally decided to leave to form her own.

In this film excerpt from Janis: Little Girl Blue, Chan Marshall narrates Janis Joplin’s letter home to family shortly after her 27th (and last) birthday. The letter reveals a glimpse into her off-stage struggles, mostly rooted in her reckless lifestyle and strong desire to be ...

The scene is England in 1964. You hear the band playing when Sister Rosetta Tharpe pulls up on a horse drawn carriage to a make-shift stage at an abandoned railroad station. It's a rainy day and Sister Rosetta is in her Sunday overcoat. You can ...

Pete Seeger brought the song "We Shall Overcome" to the forefront of causes for American workers in the 1940s and later to the Civil Rights Movement in the 50s and 60s. As a singer and songwriter, his songs have always been about we, the people. ...

See and hear Paul Bonesteel, writer, director and editor of 'The Day Carl Sandburg Died,' talk about how the film was made: the process, the characters, the interviews, and the history.

Director Gail Levin explains why she chose to direct the documentary Cab Calloway: Sketches and her hopes for the impact the documentary will have on today's musicians.