Turn to WHYY-TV 12 for amazing music specials!

WHYY-TV12 rocks this month! Catch exciting concert performances by Rush, Neil Diamond, Gregorian, and more. Plus documentaries on legends like Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, and Liza Minnelli. From rock to soul, folk to pop, we’ve got your ticket to great entertainment.

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AMERICAN MASTERS: LIZA: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story

Tuesday, 8.12.2025 | 7:30 PM
Liza Minnelli was born in the spotlight and has spent her life entertaining audiences with her magnetic charm and formidable talents as an actress, singer and dancer. The daughter of the legendary Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli, Liza made a name for herself as an influential performer and celebrated EGOT winner, having received an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and four Tony Awards. Learn how Minnelli became the star she is today, navigating professional and personal challenges with the help of extraordinary mentors. Dive into the star’s life and career through interviews with Michael Feinstein, Ben Vereen, George Hamilton, Mia Farrow, Joel Grey, Darren Criss, the late Chita Rivera and more.

Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision

Friday, 8.15.2025 | 10 PM
This documentary chronicles the creation of Electric Lady Studios. Rising from the rubble of a bankrupt Greenwich Village nightclub, it became a state-of-the-art recording facility inspired by Jimi Hendrix’s vision — the first artist-owned commercial recording studio. The program includes track breakdowns of Hendrix classics such as “Freedom,” “Angel,” and “Dolly Dagger,” plus interviews with original Electric Lady staff members and musical collaborators.

Gregorian: Pure Chants Live in Prague

Monday, 8.11.2025 | 7:30 PM
The iconic choir performs traditional songs as well as acoustic versions of fan favorites, including “Ode to Joy,” “In Trutina,” and “O Fortuna,” plus beautiful, original arrangements of Coldplay’s “Fix You,” The Beatles’ “In My Life,” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence,” and many more! Guest performers include singer-songwriter Amelia Brightman and the extraordinary male soprano Narcis. Gregorian has been enchanting audiences for more than 25 years with their signature style. This new performance special blends powerful music with soul-stirring performances, creating an emotional viewing and listening experience sure to leave a lasting impression.

Johnny Cash: We Walk the Line

Tuesday, 8.12.2025 | 10 PM
On April 20, 2012, music stars and friends gathered in Austin, Texas, to celebrate the life of Johnny Cash, marking his 80th birthday. The concert took place at Austin City Limits Live at The Moody. The standing-room-only event not only paid tribute to Cash and his music but also to his roots and heritage. Performances included GRAMMY-winning and GRAMMY-nominated musicians Brandi Carlile, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Ronnie Dunn, Jamey Johnson, Kris Kristofferson, and Willie Nelson, alongside an all-star band.

Rush: Time Machine — Live in Cleveland

Saturday, 8.9.2025 | 9 PM
Friday, 8.15.2025 | 11:30 PM
Rush’s The Time Machine Tour was a favorite among fans, thanks in part to the tour’s incredible set list, which encompassed songs from the Canadian progressive rock trio’s entire career. RUSH: TIME MACHINE — LIVE IN CLEVELAND captures their April 2011 performance at Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena, a tribute to the city that first played their music on the radio. The concert features “Tom Sawyer,”“Limelight,” and “Closer to the Heart,” among many others.

Deconstructing The Beatles

Monday, 8.11.2025 | 10 PM
Acclaimed “Beatle-ologist” Scott Freiman guides you, step by step, on an educational journey through several of The Beatles’ milestone albums and the fascinating stories that accompanied them. No matter how much you know about the Beatles, there’s something new here for you. Episodes include “The Beatles Come to America,” “Deconstructing Rubber Soul,” and “A Trip Through Strawberry Fields.”

60s and 70s Soul Celebration (My Music)

Thursday, 8.14.2025 | 11:30 PM
The legends of 60’s and 70’s soul music return to perform their biggest hits. Featuring The Temptations, James Brown, Patti LaBelle, The Chi-Lites, The Spinners, Sam Moore and more in this first-time-ever classic R&B and soul compilation. Philly artists include: Parri LaBelle, The Stylistics, Billy Paul, McFadden and Whitehead, The Intruders, Harold Melvn’s Blue Notes, Delfonics, Manhattans, Sister Sledge, The Trammps, and The Spinners plus Philly favorite groups The Temptations, 4 Tops, Martha Reeves, Edwin Starr and many more.

50 Years with Peter Paul and Mary

Tuesday, 8.12.2025 | 11:30 PM
Celebrate the artistic legacy and social impact of the iconic folk trio Peter Yarrow, Noel Paul Stookey, and Mary Travers. Featuring rare, unseen footage and powerful performances, the film traces the group’s journey from their Greenwich Village beginnings in 1961 to their role as musical voices of the Civil Rights and anti-war movements, with timeless hits like “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “If I Had a Hammer,” and “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” The documentary highlights their unique blend of artistry and activism, showcasing how their music inspired social change and continues to resonate with audiences, providing a moral compass for generations past and present.

Neil Diamond: Hot August Night/NYC

Saturday, 8.9.2025 | 7:30 PM
Recorded live at New York’s Madison Square Garden in August 2008, NEIL DIAMOND: HOT AUGUST NIGHT/NYC features career-spanning hits from Neil’s phenomenal four-night sold-out run at the fabled concert hall. Songs include “Beautiful Noise,” “Cherry, Cherry,” “Thank the Lord for the Night Time,” “I Am…I Said,” “Solitary Man,” “Kentucky Woman,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “America,” and, of course, “Sweet Caroline.”

This Land Is Your Land (My Music)

Saturday, 8.9.2025 | 12:30 PM
Saturday, 8.9.2025 | 10:30 PM
Take a musical journey through the evolution of modern American folk music, from its roots in bluegrass to San Francisco coffee houses to clubs in Greenwich Village. Hosted by Tom and Dick Smothers and Judy Collins, and featuring The Brothers Four, Glenn Yarbrough, The Highwaymen, The Limeliters, Randy Sparks and The Minstrels, and Roger McGuinn from The Byrds, the program includes their own personal reflections on the enduring legacy of these masterpieces.