Behind the Music

Episode 146: 1994

June 17, 2001 • 60 min

1994 was a year the music world lost a living legend - Kurt Cobain - and a generation named x lost its most powerful poet. In 1994, Seattle grunge was dead, but a continent away, east coast rap energized an entire nation of young mcs. Rap's new sound gave rise to new stars - the brightest called himself "Puffy". But success bred contempt as battle lines were drawn. 1994 also saw its share of spectacles from the O.J. Simpson murder trial to a sexed up Michael Jackson and his wife, Lisa Marie Presley. It was a year a new generation took a chance on peace, love and music with a revived Woodstock that displayed more hype than hippie charm. Ultimately, 1994 was a year full of sadness, inspiration and pop rejuvenation. Features interviews with Russell Simmons, Snoop Dogg, Eddie Vedder, Green Day's Billy Joe and more.