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Queens of Heartache

A look at iconic female singers of the 20th century who tragically died young. The singers featured include Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Maria Callas and Janis Joplin.

Documentary about a group of female singers whose voices make you weep, who sang songs of heartbreak and betrayal, had lives that seemed to mirror their music and deaths that came too soon and made myths of them all. Yet their voices triumph over tragedy and they became icons of the 20th century.

Edith Piaf, the Urchin Queen, stood small but strong and became the voice of her nation and of everyone who ever made mistakes. Billie Holiday, the Jazz Queen, her voice full of pain and yearning. Judy Garland, Showbiz Queen, raised in the film studio that fed her addiction to pills and to fame. Maria Callas, Drama Queen, whose voice brought out the heartache in opera and whose life echoed the roles she played. And Janis Joplin, Wild Queen, who offered up a 'piece of her heart' and died of drug abuse at just 27.

With contributions from Mickey Rooney, Charles Aznavour, Country Joe McDonald, KT Tunstall, Katie Melua and Corinne Bailey-Rae.

1 hour

Last on

Sat 21 Feb 2015 22:50

Music Played

  • Billie Holiday

    Good Morning Heartache聽

  • Janis Joplin & Kozmic Blues Band聽

    Piece of My Heart

  • Judy Garland

    Over the Rainbow

  • Billie Holiday

    God Bless the Child聽

  • 脡dith Piaf

    Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien聽

  • 脡dith Piaf

    La Foule聽

  • 脡dith Piaf

    Une Valse聽

  • 脡dith Piaf

    C'est Merveilleux聽

  • 脡dith Piaf

    La Vie En Rose聽

  • 脡dith Piaf

    L'accordeoniste

  • 脡dith Piaf

    La Foule聽

  • 脡dith Piaf

    Les Amants D'un Jour聽

  • 脡dith Piaf

    Les Amants D'un Jour聽

  • 脡dith Piaf

    Comme Moi聽

  • 脡dith Piaf

    Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien聽

  • 脡dith Piaf

    Les Prisons Du Roi聽

  • Billie Holiday

    God Bless the Child聽

  • Billie Holiday

    Please Keep Me in Your Dreams聽

  • Billie Holiday

    Your Mother's Son-in-law聽

  • Billie Holiday

    Strange Fruit

  • Billie Holiday & Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra

    I Wished on the Moon聽

  • Billie Holiday

    My Man聽

  • Billie Holiday

    Don't Explain

  • Billie Holiday

    Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone聽

  • Judy Garland

    Over the Rainbow

  • Rooney, Mickey聽

    The Boy Next Door聽

  • Judy Garland

    I'm Just Wild About Harry聽

  • Judy Garland

    Meet the Beat of My Heart聽

  • Judy Garland

    But Not For Me

  • 脡dith Piaf

    Comme Moi聽

  • Judy Garland

    The Man That Got Away

  • Judy Garland

    Over the Rainbow

  • Maria Callas

    Casta Diva聽

  • Maria Callas

    Un Bel Di Vedremo

  • Giacomo Puccini

    Tosca

    Performer: Maria Callas.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    狈翱搁惭础听

  • Gaetano Donizetti

    REGNAVA NEL SILENZIO聽

    Performer: Maria Callas.
  • Janis Joplin

    CRY BABY

  • Janis Joplin

    WHAT GOOD CAN DRINKIN' DO?聽

  • Janis Joplin

    MERCEDES BENZ聽

  • Janis Joplin

    MISERY 'N聽

  • Big Brother & the Holding Company

    COMBINATION OF THE TWO聽

  • Big Brother & the Holding Company

    Piece Of My Heart

    Singer: Janis Joplin.
  • Janis Joplin

    SUMMERTIME

  • Janis Joplin

    Me And Bobby McGee

Credits

Role Contributor
Producer Jill Nicholls
Executive Producer Mark Cooper

Broadcasts