Rockabyes With Mel & Shel

At age 21, Michael Jackson wasn't chasing success - he was chasing something bigger. In Moonwalk, he describes the turning point where music, image and ambition collided to create something the world had never seen before. From Off the Wall to Thriller, this is the chapter where Michael stops being a star and becomes something else entirely. But as the spotlight grows brighter, so does the pressure. And at a certain point, the music is no longer the only thing people are watching. This is the story of how he became bigger than the music… and what that transformation set in motion.

Before the records...before the myth...there was a child learning what it meant to be perfect. In his autobiography Moonwalk, Michael Jackson doesn't begin with fame. He begins with discipline - a childhood shaped by music, expectation, and the constant demand to get it right. In this episode, we explore the story Michael chose to tell about his early life — what he reveals, what he controls, and what that framing might mean. Because long before the world saw the icon… something had already begun.

In Part Two, after George successfully navigates from being a teen sensation into a respected singer, songwriter and producer, George finds true love. Soon, his good fortune turns into a series of heartbreaks and tragedies that expose George’s foibles and internal battles within. Find out why through all of his public humiliations of embarrassing headlines and court battles, George became even more popular and transformed into a beloved Global Superstar and Gay Icon at the time of his death.

George Michael’s versatile talents as a gifted singer, songwriter and performer made him one of the best-selling artists of all time. His shocking death at the age of 53 on Christmas Day in 2016 sent shockwaves around the world. In Part One, we explore this beloved Pop Icon’s childhood and early years with the group he co-founded, Wham. Find out what decision George made in his late teens that would haunt him and he would regret for many years to come.

In the part 3, we explore how Adam evolved into a cool filmmaker, outspoken feminist, activist, and most importantly, a prolific MC of a group that became influential pioneers of hip hop by creating unique, genre-bending albums of rap, punk and jazz fusion.

As a member of The Beastie Boys, Adam achieved worldwide stardom with their loud, brash blend of hip hop and rock. However, the overnight fame and constant touring turned their joke of acting like hard-partying, beer guzzling, hell raisers into reality. Find out how the negative effects of his manufactured image transformed Adam's life for good.

One early Spring night in New York City, a 17-year-old spiked hair teen wearing a button filled trench coat attended a Black Flag concert and decided to start a punk band. That punk outcast was Adam Yauch! How did that one decision lead to the the formation of one of the most successful hip hop groups of all time? How did his childhood knack for firecracker bombs create a natural-born leader who would one day possess an uncommon humanitarian spirit?

Selena, now a chart-topping Grammy Award-winning star and role model, is on the brink of superstardom with her burgeoning clothing line, the upcoming release of her first English-speaking album and a movie role.  Find out how a disgruntled ex-employee derailed her dreams, but not her Legacy.

The constant touring created a fine-tuned, successful Tejano band.  Selena blossomed into a polished entertainer who bent the male-dominated Tejano music industry to her will.  Her talent and personality earned her a huge following of admirers until a deceitful super fan jeopardized all of her hard work.

One day, a little girl surprised her father when he came home from work by singing a song to him in a pitch perfect tone.  That little girl was Selena.  How did that one day revive a former band and lead to a successful family business that still thrives today? What were the early years like for Selena?

In part 1 of a 2-part series, the painfully shy, Eva Cassidy struggles with adolescent bullying and depression.  Find out which artists and songs influences this gentle outsider to develop her masterful soprano interpretation of songs.

In part 2 of a 2-part series, Eva’s crystalline voice earns her exciting opportunities which illuminate a promising musical career.  Yet, an unexpected setback knocks her off her feet.  Find out how Eva rises above an unfortunate diagnosis and attains worldwide success - the one thing she persistently shunned.

In part 2 of a 2-part series, Marvin's hard earned fight for creative control of his music earned him superstardom and financial freedom.  In addition, it cemented his status as one of the most influential artists of all time.  Find out how the temptations and pressures of superstardom as well as Marvin's deep-seated personal demons led to a perfect storm of shocking results.

In part 1 of a 2-part series, we delve into Marvin Gaye’s rise to stardom from his abusive childhood to his time at Motown.  Find out what devastating tragedy broke Marvin’s heart at the age of 31 and threw him into a deep depression nearly derailing his burgeoning career.

In part 2 of a 2-part series, Amy Winehouse’s undeniable jazz vocal style and heartbreaking love songs quickly garners chart topping success, critical acclaim and a loyal fan base all over the world. In the blink of an eye, Amy is juggling the pressure of unwanted fame, intense media interest in her personal life and an addiction. Find out if only one or all of these issues will cause tragic consequences. Become a Rockababy please subscribe and visit www.rockabyespodcast.com

In part 1 of a 2-part series, even at a young age, vibrant and spunky Amy Winehouse is a talented vocalist and gifted songwriter who loves nothing more than writing songs and singing in a jazz club.  Find out how her exceptional gifts easily lead to a record deal by the age of 20, but her gutsy personality hints of difficulties to come. Become a Rockababy please subscribe and visit www.rockabyespodcast.com  

In 2001, a plane crash tragically cut short the life of 22-year-old R&B Princess, Aaliyah.  Find out how the successful music and film Phenom astutely dodged a sensational headline and redefined R&B with her sultry mix of pop, soul and hip hop while remaining authentic and good-natured throughout her life. Become a Rockababy please subscribe and visit www.rockabyespodcast.com

In Part 2, the always ambitious Frank Sinatra claws his way back to the top of the charts and into the stratosphere of worldwide fame. This time, maintaining his now solid legendary career, comes with a heavy price: massive heartbreaks, legal woes and, at times, debauchery. In this mega episode as we did deeper into this Uber Legend's wild and illustrious career. Become a Rockababy please subscribe and visit www.rockabyespodcast.com      

Throughout his long life, Frank Sinatra's warm baritone and exceptional vocal range left behind a rich and vast legacy of recordings and feature films making him one of the most successful entertainers of all time.

In Part 2, join us as find out how an attempted murder motivated a socially conscious Bob Marley to write some of his most endearing hits and why a critical injury would lead to a shocking death which would transform Bob Marley into a global icon. Become a Rockababy please subscribe and visit www.rockabyespodcast.com