Blondie

As the most successful cross-over band ever, Blondie sold more than 15 million albums with a string of mega-hits. It is hard to understand why at the height of their worldwide success, Blondie abruptly called it quits. Before their break up, they performed one last spectacular concert and this is it!

This 47-minute concert captures an iconic band and front woman on the rise playing in their natural habitat: New York's legendary CBGB

Blondie emerged from the late 70's New York punk scene and quickly became music, style and pop culture icons selling more than 40 million albums. They scored hits with reggae, rock/disco, hip hop and pop songs bursting with great hooks and brilliant, ironic lyrics. Here they are performing at The Enmore Theatre, in Sydney, Australia, on December 8, 2010.

Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, Blondie is still putting out new music and rocking out for fans everywhere! Debbie Harry and her band bring their mix of pop, rock and punk sounds to Soundstage, performing hits such as “The Tide is High”, “One Way or Another”, and “Heart of Glass” in an electrifying concert.

In January 2011, ARTE viewers voted for the ‘Queens of Pop’. 8 pop queens were chosen from 50 proposals and these are presented in a 26-minute documentary: From the 1960s: Diana Ross. From the 1970s: Donna Summer and Debbie Harry. From the 1980s: Madonna. From the 1990s: Britney Spears and Mariah Carey. From 2000-2009: Lady Gaga and Beyoncé. The title of the programme, ‘Queens of Pop’, in itself shows where the emphasis lies – none of those simplistic chart rankings, but instead a documentary series that looks at our cultural history, dealing with the women who shaped popular music over the past fifty years.

Pt II The band Heart has gone through many manifestations since its inception in the early ‘70s, but what keeps Heart “pumping” are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. Ann’s voice is unmistakable, and Nancy’s guitar playing is the perfect complement. On the second half of this Soundstage episode the sisters come back with a vengeance – blazing through songs like “Barracuda” and “Even it Up.” They then slow it down on the reflective “Dog and Butterfly” and “Alone.”

Elvis Costello brings his solo show Detour to the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Combining classic songs performed with guitar or at the piano with reminiscences of his family, life and career, it is by turns touching, humorous, thoughtful and uplifting. The set features recent songs such as “Church Underground” and “Jimmie Standing In The Rain” alongside much loved tracks from across his career including “Watching The Detectives, ” “A Good Year For The Roses, ” “Accidents Will Happen, ” “Shipbuilding” and “I Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down” all given a new twist in their solo renditions. The show also features guest appearances by sister act Larkin Poe.

Stop Making Sense is director Jonathan Demme's remarkable concert film that captures the enormous energy and joyous highs of the Talking Heads live performance. Band members David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz and Jerry Harrison are joined by Bernie Worrell, Alex Weir, Steve Scales, Lynn Mabry and Edna Holt in this groundbreaking concert film that is packed with the Talking Heads most memorable songs. Wall-to-wall music, beautiful cinematography and the legendary "Big Suit" make this "one of the greatest rock movies ever made" (Rolling Stone).

This rare footage has been compiled from a full-length show at the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma, CA in 1980. Live 1980 Songs include Its Not Right, Pink Pussycat, Whip It, Girl U Want, (I Cant Get No) Satisfaction, Swelling Itching Brain and many more.

Knebworth, Hertfordshire, June 30, 1990. 120,000 fansgathered for an historic concert event to aid the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre and the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology. This incredible benefit concert was an instant success due to the high-energy, awe-inspiring performances of such rock 'n' roll legends as Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Mark Knopfler, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Status Quo, Tears For Fears and Cliff Richard & The Shadows.

In January 2011, ARTE viewers voted for the ‘Queens of Pop’. 8 pop queens were chosen from 50 proposals and these are presented in a 26-minute documentary: From the 1960s: Diana Ross. From the 1970s: Donna Summer and Debbie Harry. From the 1980s: Madonna. From the 1990s: Britney Spears and Mariah Carey. From 2000-2009: Lady Gaga and Beyoncé. The title of the programme, ‘Queens of Pop’, in itself shows where the emphasis lies – none of those simplistic chart rankings, but instead a documentary series that looks at our cultural history, dealing with the women who shaped popular music over the past fifty years.

Eleven years in the making, Patti Smith: Dream of Life is a unique and intimate portrait of the renowned singer, songwriter, poet and activist. Patti Smith’s music, poetry, and politics are fearless, funny, raw, and original. A beautiful collage of images, memories and performances illuminate the complexities, and captures the essence, of this distinctive, legendary icon. The film follows Patti Smith’s punk-icon roots in the 70s through the trials of daily life and untimely deaths that have formed her life and art. Smith tells the story of her early days in New York City and the people that are dearest to her including her late husband Fred Sonic Smith, Allen Ginsburg, Robert Mapplethorpe, and others, her family, and the political causes for which she so deeply struggled.

Twenty years after She's So Unusual made her an icon, Cyndi Lauper’s Live...At Last captures an intimate night at New York's Town Hall in 2004, featuring dramatically reworked renditions of her hits from "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" to "True Colors."

"Live In London" is a live performance masterpiece that captures The Pretenders at the top of their game. If you saw them live on their 2009 tour, you'll know what I'm talking about. You owe it to yourself to get this program as a reminder of just how amazing this band is on the road.

"Live In London" succeeds where The Pretenders' studio albums fail. They are one of those rare bands that truly does sound better when they're playing in front of an audience -- an intimate small theater crowd here.

With all due respect to original guitarist James Honeyman Scott and bassist Pete Farndon, The Pretenders latest lineup is the best Chrissie Hynde has ever staged. With the steady pounding of original drummer Martin Chambers, newcomers James Walbourne on guitar, Nick Wilkinson on bass and Eric Heywood on pedal steel rock from start to finish, revitalizing Pretenders' classics like "Message of Love" and "Kid," while adding new ones like "Boots of Chinese Plastic" to the playlist.

You'll be blown away by Walbourne's electrifying guitar work. It starts with the first licks of the opener "Chinese Plastic," scorches through "Rosalee," and climaxes with the show-stopper "Precious." Walbourne delivers pure, unadulterated, raw, rip-snorting rock 'n' roll. His on-stage chemistry with Hynde is self-evident.

As per usual, Hynde's vocals are impeccable, showing great range, dynamics and emotion, equally adept at punk rockers like "The Wait" and ballads like "I'll Stand By You." This woman has earned the right to work the stage with the swagger of a rock star. She is it.

The direction and camera work throughout "Live In London" give the viewer the perspective of being on stage with The Pretenders. Tight crops interspersed with effective wide angles make one feel like he can count the streaks of mascara multiplying on Hynde's face and see the beads of sweat building on Chambers' brow as the night rocks on.

The B-52s performed their first ever gig in February 1977. 34 years later, on Valentine’s Day 2011, they returned to their home town of Athens, Georgia to celebrate with this brilliant live show. Wig-wearing, boa-draped, glitter-covered fans came to join in and saw the band deliver a sizzling 90 minute set that turned Athens’ Classic Center into a cosmic dancehall. A B-52s live show is always the best party in town, yet here in front of their home crowd they even managed to turn it up a notch further. Packed with all their fan’s favorites, this is high spirited good time rock ‘n’ roll packed with great tunes, wild romance, blood pumping grooves and a lot of fun!

Probably the most enduring band of the UK punk/new wave era, the legendary Stranglers perform live at Londons spectacular Royal Albert Hall. Accompanied by The Electra Strings

Roxy Musics unique blend of avant-garde rock music and high style set the tone for the whole glam rock era. They were much imitated, but never equalled. This documentary tells the story of Roxy Music through new interviews with band members Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay, Paul Thompson, Brian Eno, and Eddie Jobson plus many of their contemporaries. The program covers their early years, the classic seventies albums, their re-emergence with a much smoother style in the early eighties, the bands break up and then their hugely successful reunion in the 21st century. The final 15 or so minutes is what fans will be looking forward to the most. From a London concert in 2006, Roxy Music are shown playing "Both Ends Burning," "Editions of You," and "Do The Strand." For anyone interested in the history of one of seventies most inscrutable bands, Roxy Music - More Than This is an excellent addition to your collection.

In this concert/motion picture starring the New Romantic Pop stars, Doctor Duran (actor Milo O'Shea) the evil character in the cult film 'Barbarella' returns to earth, crash landing his time machine directly underneath a giant stadium in Oakland, California. He is bent upon doing battle with the five imposters above him (the band) who have stolen his name. The evil doctor sends out his henchmen to destroy them as they perform to a packed stadium. Duran Duran continues to perform throughout, as much chaos ensues around them. Duran Duran are captured at their musical best in Arena by award winning director, Russell Mulcahy, who was to hone his skills working on music promos through the 80's. Also includes the Making Of Arena documentary which opens the lid on the creative processes involved with making Arena.

Soundstage captures a radiant Stevie Nicks in her first filmed solo performance since 1987. "Live In Chicago" includes all the timeless Nicks songs from her solo projects as well as songs written as a member of the legendary rockers Fleetwood Mac. Along with Stevie classics such as "Stand Back," "Rhiannon," "Dreams," "Gold Dust Woman," "Landslide" and "Edge Of Seventeen," the video also features stunning cover songs, including Dave Matthews' "Crash Into Me" and a tear-down-the-house finale of Led Zeppelin's "Rock And Roll."