Vinyl

I absolutely loved everything about this series and am so sad it was only one season. In my opinion, it was a work of art. The acting was superb, the story engaging and edgy, and the music was breathtaking. Clearly a labor of love by the creators. I recommend that you ignore the hateful reviews and try it for yourself. Just watched it in 2017 and loved every minute of the story.

this is a real window on the music business. It is a business filled with evil no talent people who prey on artists, suck their blood, throw them away and move on. But this series shows how messed up and unhappy the "hit makers" really are, even after stealing the careers of others. If Frank Zappa was still alive he'd have been an executive producer as he knew full well what absolute--- can I swear?--- terrible people control the music business; how they use real violence to be on top.

I applaud HBO for taking this on. It hits on so many levels that whoever was the source researcher must be terrified. The delete business was a well known industry insider scam. Concerts? hahaha who took that dough? Chargebacks? How many glasses of top shelf were billed over and over to artists by cats that didn't drink?

this show is scary to many as was almost famous. The truth is leaking out as procol harum said in a souvenir of London. enjoy this show. says much about our society and be not surprised when justin beiber dies broke.

Why in the world would anyone stop Vinyl? I just read a interview with Juno Temple, as I'm watching the final episode of the first season, when I found out. So well produced with solid performances! Is it the usual widespread American paranoia with a little nakedness, that did the show in? Whatever the reason it's not valid to leave us hanging....at least tie up the loose ends with a second season! WTF guys!

Let's be clear. This show is NOT an attempt in social realism. Nor, is it trying to present the viewer with an accurately documented history of the biggest rock stars of the 70's or actual industry insiders.

What it does do, is take an interesting idea, create fictional characters and look at how they behave and react against each other, while referencing real performers from the period. Vinyl is no more of an attempt to convince its audience that what it portrays really happened than say House of Cards is in presenting a factually accurate representation of a US President or the American political system. Once you accept that, you can sit back and enjoy the real story. It is the story of a 'record man', Richie, and his conflicts, his demons, his dreams, his selfishness and his inability to seemingly make any good choices. The characters, like the clothes from the period are flamboyant and loud and colourful. Clichéd? Sometimes yes, and that is partly why it does work. This is not straight a rock 'n roll drama, how could it be with so many interwoven scenes where 'stream of consciousness' musical performances suddenly interrupt the plot? There is plenty of humour here too - perhaps a nod from the creators that they don't take it all too seriously. There is also some subtle and clever historical references (no spoilers), such as a throwaway comment about a food buffet while Mamma Cass is in a background scene, and a scene following a Vegas performance where a clearly unwell but pre-heart attack Elvis rubs at his left arm.

It does not really matter that the rock stars portrayed do not mirror their real life counterparts as some reviewers on here seem to get upset about. They are incidental to the overall story and if the creators of this show had focused on that then this would have been a story about the greats of the 1970's music scene. Instead, we have something better, a fictionalised story that is set amidst the 1970's music scene. And it is a great story with good characters, over the top stories and excellent performances.

Just watched this fast paced and well acted series.The charcters were interesting and the music absolutley fabulous, Set in the 70s music industry it gives an insight into the pressure and complex people in the industry from drugs ,money worries and trying to find that special band that every music company strived for.i found myself liking certain characters more than others and the plot was good and growing as the series went on,just as things are coming good for the company and the bands,with the added pressures bomb they end the show unbelevable,This was winner writen all over it.Bring it back HBO.