Music

Myths, legends and the people behind the songs.

5 rabbit holes

• New
  Pop provocationsWhy the KLF burned a million poundsIn the early 1990s the KLF were one of the best-selling bands in the world. Then they deleted their whole catalogue and quit. In August 1994, in an empty boathouse on a Scottish island, the two of them burned the last million pounds they had earned, in cash, and filmed it.2 stages · 8 min
• New
  Music legendsThe mystery of Mozart’s Requiem1791. A stranger brings Mozart an anonymous commission for a mass for the dead. Mozart, sick and overworked, is said to have believed he was writing his own requiem. He dies with it unfinished. His widow quietly has it completed and sold as his.2 stages · 25 min
• New
  Music myths“Paul is dead”Autumn 1969. A caller to a Detroit radio station claims Paul McCartney died in a car crash in 1966 and was secretly replaced. Fans start playing records backwards and studying album covers for clues. Within weeks the rumour is everywhere.2 stages · 12 min
• New
  Music mythsThe 27 ClubJimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse: all died at 27. It looks like a curse. Researchers decided to check whether famous musicians really are more likely to die at that age.2 stages · 23 min
• New
  BluesRobert Johnson and the devil at the crossroadsA young Mississippi guitarist disappears for a while and comes back playing so well that people say he must have sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads at midnight. Robert Johnson recorded just 29 songs, died at 27, and became a legend of the blues.3 stages · 24 min