Plot Synopsis

Created by Bill Simmons, MUSIC BOX is a collection of documentary films the explore pivotal moments in the world of music.

The first installment, "Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage" -- which debuted on Friday, July 23, 2021 at 9pm ET/PT on HBO -- tells the story of Woodstock 99, a three-day music festival promoted to echo unity and counterculture idealism of the original 1969 concert but instead devolved into riots, looting and sexual assaults. The grim outcome earned the event the infamous distinction of "the day the nineties died." This documentary focuses a spotlight on American youth at the end of the millennium, in the shadow of Columbine and the looming hysteria of Y2K, pinpointing a moment in time when the angst of a generation galvanized into a seismic, cultural shift. Set to a soundtrack of the era's most aggressive rock bands, the film also reappraises the 1960s mythos, revealing hard truths about the dangers of rose-tinted nostalgia in the age of commercialism and bottom-line profits.

Subsequent films in the series, each helmed by a different director, will start airing in late fall 2021 and include:

"Jagged" (Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 8pm ET/PT): An intimate exploration of Alanis Morissette and her groundbreaking 1995 album Jagged Little Pill; directed by Alison Klayman. Featuring an in-depth interview with Alanis, as well as never-before-seen archival material, this program explores her beginnings as a young Canadian pop star, the rocky path she faced navigating the male-dominated music industry, and the glass ceiling she shattered on her journey to becoming the international icon and empowered artist she is today.

"DMX: Don't Try to Understand" (Thursday, November 25, 2021): A film with rare access to the late rapper after his release from prison -- a portrait of a man struggling with addiction, fame, and his inner demons in the final years of his life; directed by Christopher Frierson. This program focuses on a year in the life of rapper Earl "DMX" Simmons as he is released from prison in early 2019 and attempts to rebuild his career in the music industry and reconnect with family and fans. Unfolding in cinema verite style and with unfettered access, the film bears witness to a man searching for reinvention and redemption, striving to stay true to himself while reestablishing his roles as a father, an artist and an icon.

"Listening to Kenny G" (Thursday, December 2, 2021): An examination of the most popular instrumentalist of all time and why he is polarizing to so many; directed by Penny Lane. This program takes a humorous but incisive look at the saxophonist Kenny G, the best-selling instrumental artist of all time, and quite possibly the one of the most famous living musicians. The film investigates the artist formerly known as Kenny Gorelick, unravelling the allure of the man who played jazz so smoothly that a whole new genre formed around him, and questioning fundamental assumptions about art and excellence in the process. In his own words, Kenny G speaks candidly about his musical background, his stringent work ethic, and his controversial standing in the jazz canon.

"Mr. Saturday Night" (Thursday, December 9, 2021): The untold story of Robert Stigwood and how he amped the disco era; directed by John Maggio. This program chronicles the meteoric career of Australian entrepreneur Robert Stigwood, who gambled on a magazine article about the Brooklyn night club scene and turned it into the 1977 cultural touchstone "Saturday Night Fever," making a global superstar out of John Travolta, and reinvigorating disco with a platinum-selling soundtrack album anchored by four number one hits from the Bee Gees. The film tracks Stigwood's journey from managing artists such as Eric Clapton and the Bee Gees, to producing the hit shows "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Tommy," and "Evita," to forever changing the way film studios approached movie soundtrack synergy, leaving an indelible mark on American cinema and the record industry for decades to come.

"Juice WRLD: Into the Abyss" (Thursday, December 16, 2021): A film exploring how the late hip-hop star impacted a genre during his short life; directed by Tommy Oliver. This program is an intimate and often eye-opening exploration of the life and all-too-short career of wunderkind rapper Juice WRLD, told primarily though verite, his prolific music making, and his freestyles. A dynamic, real-time account of the Chicago native who was already heading for superstardom and streaming supremacy by the time he was 18 courtesy of his breakout hit, "Lucid Dreams," the film includes a wealth of never-before-seen footage, unreleased music, and dozens of industry interviews as it details Juice WRLD's struggles to navigate his meteoric rise to fame, his drug use, and mental health issues.



For its second season, episodes of the THE MUSIC BOX include:

"Jason Isbell: Running With Our Eyes Closed" (Friday, April 7, 2023): In his own words, renowned singer and songwriter Jason Isbell takes viewers on an unexpected journey through his musical evolution and creative process as he goes into the studio to record his new album "Reunions" with his band The 400 Unit. With striking candor and honesty, Isbell lays bare his difficult childhood, his struggles with addiction and relationships, and funneling all his pain and private battles into his music. When the COVID-19 pandemic arrives and forces him and his family into lockdown, Isbell must confront the self-doubt and fears that isolation brings to a recovering addict and artist, even as the album releases to rave reviews.As the film pulls back the curtain on Jason's deeply personal way of creating music, he talks openly about the challenges brought about by collaborating closely with his wife Amanda Shires, herself an acclaimed singer, songwriter, and fiddle player. As they write, record, and perform together, it becomes clear how intricately linked they are artistically, and how that connection both enhances and complicates their marriage.
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"Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary" debuted on Friday, November 29, 2024 from 9-10:40pm ET/PT on HBO. Directed by Garret Price, this program chronicles the emergence and popularity of the West Coast, soft rock pop culture epitomized by musical artists such as Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Steely Dan, and Toto. Retroactively dubbed Yacht Rock in 2005 by a parody website series, the easy listening, relaxing sounds of the late 1970s and early 1980s, which were beloved by many, came to be gently mocked and even dismissed by rock lovers and critics, but have since reclaimed their legitimate place in music history and are celebrated in this groove-infused film from the Music Box anthology series.

The film foregrounds the musicians and producers of the yacht rock scene, giving them their own platform to detail the genesis, evolution, and downfall of the sound, which was appreciated for its high-quality production, soulful vocals, and breezy, emo lyrics. Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins, and other indelible musicians of the time, along with rock journalists and scholars, define the music as taking its cues from jazz, funk, and R&B, laying out its crossover origins and wide reach. The emergence of MTV and slick music videos crowded out the genre but, in the 1990s, hip-hop artists started to sample yacht rock and the music gained a new audience and new respect for its high standard of songwriting excellence, becoming a cultural touchstone for playful ribbing by comedians. Filled with the sounds of the era, incredible archival footage of recording sessions and performances, and humorous, self-reflective interviews, the film lovingly embraces the key players of the scene and the genre they didn't even know they were creating.
Featured Participants: The film includes soulful insight from musical artists Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald (Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers), Steve Porcaro (Toto), Steve Lukather (Toto), David Paich (Toto), Prince Paul (De La Soul), Brian Robert Jones (Vampire Weekend), Thundercat, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson (The Roots), Mac DeMarco and more; "Yacht Rock" web series creator J.D. Ryznar and host Steve Huey; comedian Fred Armisen; music producers, journalists, scholars, and rock critics.