Jerry Garcia Headlines "Rock Icons Week," Only on The Biography Channel—March 20-23

NEW YORK, NY – A musical revolution took place in the ‘60s and ‘70s that changed the aural landscape forever. Front and center was an unprecedented new sound born of blues, folk, bluegrass and country – and all rock. Leading this charge were some of the greatest frontmen and guitar gods to have ever stepped up to a mic. And, this March, The Biography Channel gives viewers front row seats to pay tribute to this singular group of musicians with “Rock Icons Week.” Airing nightly at 8pm ET/7pm CT/9pm PT from March 20-23, the week features profiles of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young, as well as the digital cable premiere of the late, great Grateful Dead front man, Jerry Garcia.

BIOGRAPHY®: JERRY GARCIA
DIGITAL CABLE PREMIERE Tuesday, March 21st at 8pm ET/ 7pm CT/ 9pm PT

The Grateful Dead were one of the most psychedelic and influential American bands in history. And, at the helm of the band’s aura was Jerry Garcia. To his legions of fans – the legendary Deadheads — he was more than a rock star — he was practically a deity. There was an almost holy power to his charisma, and it radiated in everything he touched. Yet, Garcia was quite human and became a symbol of a free-living, experimental lifestyle and all that it embodied: sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll — especially drugs. Unfortunately, his years of hard living extracted a heavy toll. But, along the way, his undeniably creative journey led him on a rollercoaster ride to great heights and desperate lows — from fame and fortune to drug addiction and ill health. Among those interviewed in the program include Dead band mates and friends Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and lyricist John Barlow, his daughter Trixie Garcia, biographer Blair Jackson and more.

Additional BIOGRAPHY® Encore Profiles Airing During “Rock Icons Week,” include:

BIOGRAPHY®: ERIC CLAPTON
Monday, March 20th at 8pm ET/7pm CT /9pm PT

One of the most successful singer/songwriters of all time, with chart-topping hits such as “Layla,” “After Midnight,” “Lay Down Sally,” and “Cocaine,” Eric Clapton has overcome a multitude of personal struggles and tragedies to become the first performer ever to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times. From his early days with the Yardbirds to Cream, heroin addiction, alcoholism and a tumultuous marriage, Clapton has survived and managed to channel his extreme pain into music that garnered him numerous Grammy Awards. Through a career spanning three decades and countless obstacles, Eric Clapton has not only survived, he has become a rock and roll legend.

BIOGRAPHY ®: JIMI HENDRIX
Wednesday, March 22nd at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 9pm PT

Purple Haze,” “All Along the Watchtower,” “The Wind Cries Mary” and “Crosstown Traffic,” are among the unforgettable ‘60s anthems that are an indelible part of the 20th century musical landscape, and all emanated from one singular talent: Jimi Hendrix. Widely recognized as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Hendrix was a dynamic and mesmerizing guitar virtuoso who pioneered the explosive possibilities of the electric guitar. After a meteoric rise over four short years, his life was cut tragically short, yet his inimitable music continues to live on. Among those interviewed in the documentary include friends, Pernell Alexander and Juma Sultan, musician Eric Burdon and band member Noel Redding, among others.

BIOGRAPHY®: NEIL YOUNG
Thursday, March 23rd at 8pm ET/ 7pm CT / 9pm PT

A brilliant songwriter, quirky high-pitched singer, and a guitarist whose piercing style has influenced an entire generation of young alternative rock fans, Young has spent his career exploring nearly every genre of popular music. Beginning with the countrified pop/rock of ‘60s legends Buffalo Springfield, Young has played rock, hard rock, singer/songwriter-style pop, synth rock, ‘50s style rock and rockabilly, country, r&b, protest rock and feedback-heavy art rock. Through it all, though, he has always sounded like Neil Young on essentials as “Heart of Gold, “Like a Hurricane,” “Hey Hey, My My” and “Tonight’s the Night” — which may be the major reason he remains such a vital artist. Stubbornly independent and ever-evolving, the multi-talented and eclectic Young has developed a style that is unmatched by any other performer.

About The Biography Channel
The Biography Channel, a 24-hour digital cable network dedicated to presenting compelling stories about the worlds’ most interesting people, is one of the most sought-after and fastest growing channels available today. Building upon A&E Network’s Emmy-Award winning series, Biography ®, the Biography Channel weaves together vibrant profiles of individuals who intrigues us most, plus exciting new original series, short features and documentaries. Whether an insightful show on big ticket celebrities, news headliners, crime figures, Hollywood hopefuls, the “people behind the people” or ordinary folk with a story to tell, The Biography Channel is the network for people watching. The Biography Channel finished #1 in Awareness among cable subscribers and was the #1 watched digital channel in 2005 (Beta). The Biography Channel is available nationally through all major cable and satellite distributors and can currently be viewed in more than 35 million homes. The Biography Channel web site is located at www.biographychannel.com.

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