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BBC Radio 2

Bill Bailey tells the story of Queen with rare BBC Archive and brand-new conversations from Brian May and Roger Taylor, looking back at the journey of this iconic rock band.

Eras

In this episode of Eras: Queen, Bill Bailey tells the story of the band's most poignant and powerful chapter.

By the start of the 90s, Queen knew time was running short as Freddie Mercury was gravely ill. Instead of slowing down, they pushed forward, making another album, Innuendo, and creating the video for "These Are The Days Of Our Lives," Freddie’s final on-camera appearance. This episode explores the profound impact of Freddie's public announcement of his AIDS diagnosis, followed by his passing just 24 hours later.

The reign continues in 1992 as Brian, Roger, and John orgainse the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium. We explore the release of their album Made in Heaven in 1995 which was built around Freddie’s final vocal recordings.

Bill looks at Queen's continued legacy through the We Will Rock You musical and the Bohemian Rhapsody film. We celebrate Queen's new phase with Adam Lambert, who, alongside Brian May and Roger Taylor, continues to bring their music to life. With new interviews with Queen fans, Matt Lucas and Brittany Howard, we find out about Queen's unwavering dedication to their fans, old and new, and how their music continues to resonate across generations.

Queen: 4. The Reign Continues

This episode of Eras: Queen, Bill Bailey explores the emotional and creative toll of fame on the band. After a breakneck pace in the previous decade, Queen quietly disappear from the spotlight in the early 80s, each member pursuing solo projects.

They return sharper with renewed clarity for their next album, The Works, culminating in their iconic Live Aid performance in 1985. A year later, Queen continue their role as global icons, performing behind the Iron Curtain in Budapest.

Now fully back in the spotlight, Queen face the quiet shadow of Freddie’s illness. Through new interviews and gems from the BBC archive, we hear from Queen in their own words as they navigated the weight of being global superstars.

Queen: 3. Heavy Is The Crown

Bill Bailey tells the story of Queen and in the second episode it's 1975, and Queen are on the brink of failure. With financial issues they are exhausted and overlooked, but take a huge gamble on something long, weird, and radio-unfriendly: Bohemian Rhapsody.

As the world turns to Queen we explore their evolution into stadium-shaking titans throughout the late 1970s. Through archive and new interviews, including journalist David Quantick and singer Adam Lambert, we see how Queen were on a roll with releasing albums and were performing internationally to cement their global fame.

In the early 80s, we find them embracing synths, disco, and sci-fi scores with albums The Game and the Flash Gordon soundtrack. Through their groundbreaking tour of South America, and the release of Greatest Hits we explore Queen at their height before they face burnout and are unsure of what comes next.

Queen: 2. Coronation

Bill Bailey tells the story of rock's most flamboyant and iconic band.

In the first episode of Eras: Queen, it's the late 60s, and four outsiders with academic brains collide in London. We find out how Freddie, Brian, Roger, and John were drawn together through college friendships and a shared creative vision.

In the first half of the 70s, they played college gigs and support tours, started to refine their live show and build an audience proving they could command the attention of their growing fans. From recording demos, we go with them as they recorded their first three albums, Queen, Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack.

Through rare BBC archive and new interviews from Brian May and Roger Taylor plus contributors including record executive Paul Watts, journalist Rosie Horide who followed the band in their early days and Bob Harris, an early supporter, we find out how their ascension was met with financial struggles but as a band they had a shared creative vision to take on the World.

Queen: 1. Ascension

Rock Star. Poet. Visionary. Peacemaker. 

He’s sold tens of millions of records - but his influence goes far beyond music. He’s one of the most recognisable faces on Earth - but how much do you know the man behind the smile?

As the world celebrates 80 years of Bob Marley, Trevor Nelson sits down with Cedella and Skip Marley to hear their personal takes on the enduring legend of Reggae’s first and greatest superstar.

Bob Marley: 5. Interview with Cedella & Skip Marley

Trevor Nelson tells the story of Reggae’s first and greatest superstar.

In the final chapter of Eras: Bob Marley, Bob’s incredible life comes to end. But his Legend is immortal.

Friends, fans and collaborators celebrate his legacy of activism, his potent spirituality and his undeniable musical accomplishments, which left the world so much richer than he found it.

A Cup and Nuzzle Production. Series Producer: Joe Foley

Bob Marley: 4. Legend

Trevor Nelson tells the story of Reggae’s first and greatest superstar.

In Episode 3 of Eras: Bob Marley, it’s an election year - and Jamaica is rocked by political turmoil. Bob is living peacefully at his home in Kingston, but when violence comes to 56 Hope Road, his days in the city are numbered. 

The next chapter of his story will cement his legacy as the King of Reggae - an icon whose impact goes far beyond music alone.

Featuring brand new interviews with friends, fans and collaborators, plus rare BBC archive.

A Cup and Nuzzle Production. Series Producer: Joe Foley

Bob Marley: 3. War

Trevor Nelson tells the story of Reggae’s first and greatest superstar.

In the second episode of Eras: Bob Marley, it’s 1972, and The Wailers find themselves in London. When a strange twist of fate puts them in front of Island Records’ Chris Blackwell, a new chapter begins for Bob, Peter and Bunny.

But under the pressure of life on the road, tensions grow between the old friends - and something has to give. 

As the eyes of the world turn to Bob Marley, a golden age of Reggae begins.

Featuring brand new interviews with friends, fans and collaborators, plus rare BBC archive.

A Cup and Nuzzle Production. Series Producer: Joe Foley

Bob Marley: 2. Catch A Fire

Rock Star. Poet. Visionary. Peacemaker. 

Trevor Nelson tells the story of Reggae’s first and greatest superstar, Bob Marley.

In the years since his death in 1981, Bob Marley has become an icon unlike any other.

 In Episode One of Eras: Bob Marley, you’ll discover where his story began. 

From the rural village of Nine Mile to the yards of Kingston, follow Bob’s first steps into the music industry, and his earliest encounters with the band that would make him famous - The Wailers.

Featuring brand new interviews with friends, fans and collaborators, plus rare BBC archive, you’ll get to know the man behind the music.

A Cup and Nuzzle Production. Series Producer: Joe Foley

Bob Marley: 1. Soon Come

When you’ve been in the game for as long as Sting has, it’s tempting to just keep giving the people what they want. But that’s just not him, is it? 

In Episode Four, Vernon Kay finds Sting in a place in which inspiration is everything. Whether it’s a lute album, a turn on Broadway, traditional folk or Reggae, Sting refuses to be pinned down. 

That’s the attitude that’s won him millions of fans, the respect of his peers, and a musical legacy that only a handful of stars can match. And in his eighth decade, he’s showing no signs of slowing down. 

Through the BBC Archive and brand new interviews, you’ll understand what makes Sting truly unique. 

A Cup and Nuzzle Production. Written and produced by Joe Foley.

Sting: 4. Legacy

Join Scott Mills for the ultimate celebration of the UK’s best-loved pop star, who this year headlines Radio 2 in the Park on Sunday 17th September.

All good things come to an end - unless you’re Kylie Minogue, apparently.

In 2012, Kylie marked 25 years in the music industry. The Abbey Road Sessions, an album of radical reworkings of some of her biggest hits, could easily have bookended a career few others could match. As it turned out, it was more of a bookmark - an acknowledgement of what had gone before, with the promise of more to come.

In the last decade, Kylie embraced possibility, turning her time-tested talents to new musical challenges. From country music to Covid home-studios and star-studded floorfillers, this was the era where Kylie most obviously did what she’s always done - whatever she likes.

And then… Padam Padam. The undeniable sound of Summer ‘23, and the hook that caught a whole new generation.

Kylie Minogue: 4. She Hears It and She Knows

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