New stories about hitmakers premiere in June 2023
Reelz Network has announced its June 2023 premieres include a music themed lineup about revered, controversial and wildly successful artists and bands that broke new ground in music. Autopsy: The Last Hours of… focuses on incendiary rapper Eazy-E whose death at 30 years old sent shockwaves through the rap world and spawned rumors of foul play. The June 2023 lineup also includes Prince: The Final Secret celebrating the musical prodigy and provocateur who kept a fiercely guarded secret about himself that is only now coming to light. Guns N’ Roses: America’s Most Dangerous Band shows how the band with a brand built on volatile behavior, toxic addictions and massive ego battles kept itself from ripping apart long enough to set massive sales records and redefine rock. Journey: A Voice Lost…and Found features Journey songwriter and keyboardist Jonathan Cain sharing a rollercoaster of first-hand stories about the band from playing in sold out arenas to plummeting in popularity and a comeback story for the ages.
Kicking off the June 2023 music themed lineup is a new original story about Eric Wright known as Eazy-E who founded the gangster rap group N.W.A in 1987 that included a then unknowns Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. Eazy-E shocked America with lyrics about drugs, women and hatred for authority in songs that made millions and earned legions of fans. But at just 30 years old Eazy-E had his career and life cut short so suddenly that it aroused suspicions from friends and family casting a shadow of doubt over his final days. Autopsy: The Last Hours of… “Eazy-E” on Sunday, June 4th at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT recounts his impact on rap music and explores the circumstances of his untimely death.
On Sunday, June 11th at 9 pm ET/ 6pm PT, Prince: The Final Secret presents the story of the singer, songwriter, producer, actor, director and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist whose nearly 40-year career made him an entertainment and music icon. In death his legend only grows and the previously impenetrable truth behind his biggest secret has come to light revealing a man who used his success to help others. Sharing their personal stories of his towering talent are his bandmates from Prince and The New Power Generation Michael Bland and Levi Seacer, Jr. along with Prince’s recording engineer David Z. Rifkin among many others.
With multiple singles breaking into the top 10 charts and more than 30 million copies sold the debut album for Guns N’ Roses, Appetite for Destruction became the biggest selling debut of all time. The album name also served as a harbinger for what was to come. On Sunday, June 18th at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT, Guns N’ Roses: America’s Most Dangerous Band presents the turbulent story of the band that pushed the limits with a brand of absolute chaos but whose sales, success and authenticity were unmatched. Frontman Axl Rose was the core of Guns N’ Roses and his wild life story, fiery ego and artistic brilliance served as rocket fuel for their meteoric rise and spectacular collapse. Despite the rough ride to success Guns N’ Roses mastered their madness and continue to build their legacy as they kick off a 38 show world tour in June 2023.
To say the band Journey also had issues with their frontman would be a massive understatement. Journey: A Voice Lost…and Found on Sunday, June 25th at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT presents their remarkable story and how the unmistakable voice of lead singer Steve Perry created a signature sound that was the heart of the band. At the height of their success, Perry left Journey leaving the band to forge ahead without him with a different lead singer. But that distinct Perry voice proved to be a fulcrum where fans either embraced the new sound or revolted against the band. Former Journey lead singer Jeff Scott Soto shares his personal experience of feeling the wrath of Journey purists. Despite losing their lead singer twice, Journey eventually struck gold finding a new voice in the most unlikely of ways who would take the sonic legacy of Perry to new heights. Five decades after forming, Journey is still rocking as they recently wrapped their 38 show 50th Anniversary Celebration Freedom Tour last April.
