Plot Synopsis

Combining unprecedented access to some of the most celebrated artists, producers and innovators from across the music spectrum, with rare archival studio footage and an extensive soundtrack, SOUNDBREAKING: STORIES FROM THE CUTTING EDGE OF RECORDED MUSIC is an eight-hour television series that charts a century's worth of innovation and experimentation in the creation of music. From the invention of the microphone to the Moog synthesizer, from the phonograph to digital streaming, SOUNDBREAKING moves between past and present to tell the stories behind the sounds and reveals how innovation redefined not only what we listen to and how we listen to it, but our very sense of what music is and can be. Viewers of all ages will hear the songs they love in a whole new way. The series features more than 150 exclusive and original interviews with such luminaries as Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Joni Mitchell, Roger Waters, Roger Daltrey, Linda Perry, Barry Gibb, Elton John, Debbie Harry, Quincy Jones, B.B. King, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart, Mark Knopfler, Tom Petty, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Lindsey Buckingham, Rosanne Cash, Don Was, Steven Van Zandt, Sheila E, Questlove, Ben Harper, Billy Idol, Beck, Imogen Heap, Darryl McDaniels, RZA, Bon Iver, Nile Rodgers, Nigel Godrich, Q-tip, Brian Eno, Mark Ronson, Rick Rubin, Tony Visconti and more. SOUNDBREAKING is the last project produced by legendary music producer Sir George Martin, with the first two episodes debuting at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, TX, in Spring 2016. Later in the year, PBS premiered the entire series weeknights at 10pm ET (check local listings) from November 14-23.
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On Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 10pm ET (check local listings), PBS premiered the season finale of SOUNDBREAKING: STORIES FROM THE CUTTING EDGE OF RECORDED MUSIC. The season ender, "I Am My Music," reveals how the listening format -- LP, cassette, CD and MP3 -- of each generation determines not only how and where we listen, but also the manner in which we collect, store, and share the music we love. This episode features Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan and The Grateful Dead.