Watch Vinyl

TV-MA
2016
1 Season
7.7 (24,283)

Vinyl is an American drama television series set in the 1970s music scene in New York City. Produced by Martin Scorsese, Mick Jagger and Terence Winter, it premiered on HBO in 2016. The show revolves around the life of Richie Finestra, portrayed by Bobby Cannavale, a record executive trying to save his struggling company, American Century Records, and his moral compass while navigating sex, drugs, rock and roll, and the cutthroat industry politics. The series is an exploration of how music and the industry took on a life of their own during the tumultuous period of American history. Filled with music from major musical artists from the time and referenced by the cast, Vinyl captures the spirit of the era with a nod to some of the real characters who made it happen. The show is set in stark contrast to the polished, clean-cut image of many of today's moguls, and Finestra is a reflection of the era's excessiveness, corruption, and moral depravity. As Richie struggles to balance his role as a businessman with his love for rock and roll, he becomes entangled in a web of deceit, blackmail and tragedy. The cast of Vinyl is a winning lineup that, in addition to Cannavale, includes Ray Romano, Olivia Wilde, Ato Essandoh, Max Casella, P. J. Byrne, J. C. MacKenzie, Birgitte Hjort Sorensen and a host of others. However, it's the dynamic between the leads, Cannavale and Wilde, as Finestra and his artistic wife, Devon, that is particularly intriguing. Though they are struggling to keep their relationship together, their love for music and each other will keep them coming back as they face the devastating consequences of their choices. No character is left untouched in Vinyl. The viewer is taken through the often ugly, but always engaging world of the music industry, and its colorful characters. Through it all, the true force of the show is Finestra, who is a captivating character, edgy, charismatic, arrogant, and yet undeniably grateful for the chance to make his mark on the world. The visual style of Vinyl is slick and edgy, and the soundtrack is a force to be reckoned with. The use of iconic music from the era, from glam rock to punk, is used to give the show an intricate layer of atmosphere. The opening sequence, featuring the soaring Electric Light Orchestra track âStranger,â cues audiences to the time period in which it is set. From there, the show uses its soundtrack expertly, weaving a tapestry of sounds that reflects the zeitgeist of the time, from Black Sabbath to David Bowie. Vinyl takes the gritty and the rawness of the era and expertly channels it into this intense drama, filled with intense and sometimes tragic character moments, political battles, and amazing musical performances that punctuate the series. Overall, Vinyl is a textured, high-quality drama that captures the soul of the 70s. It's a gritty, unvarnished snapshot of a time and place akin to Mad Men or The Sopranos in its ability to transport audiences back to a place few may have experienced. Though the series only had one season before it was canceled, the legacy of Vinyl in the pantheon of music-centric dramas is assured.

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Seasons

10. Alibi

April 17, 2016

Zak constructs a dangerous plan to bring down Richie; Kip's excesses threaten an important Nasty Bits gig.

9. Rock and Roll Queen

April 10, 2016

After an unsettling visit with Devon and the kids, Richie weighs his options as the heat surrounding the Buck Rogers murder case is turned up. Thrown out of her aunt’s townhouse, Jamie crashes with Kip as the Nasty Bits finish their record and do a photo shoot. At American Century, Maury Gold pitches a ‘50s compilation LP, while Zak tries to fund a band for his wedding singer, Gary, aka “Xavier.” Clark and Jorge bond over an Indigo tune.

8. E.A.B.

April 3, 2016

Richie grows desperate and approaches Galasso about a loan; Kip gets a crash course in the blues from Lester.

7. The King and I

March 27, 2016

Looking to raise cash for his label, a newly sober Richie flies to LA with Zak, hoping to sell the company jet to Lou Meshejian, a rival record exec. After attending a beachfront party teeming with many of Lou's music clients, Richie and Zak head to Las Vegas in hopes of somehow convincing Elvis Presley and his manager, Colonel Parker, that the King should ditch his label and sign with American Century.

6. Cyclone

March 20, 2016

Devon seeks refuge at the Chelsea Hotel with Ingrid, a friend from her Warhol days. Meanwhile, Richie falls into a deeper well of drugs and depravity, enabled by Ingrid’s nihilistic boyfriend, Ernst. Andrea Zito rejoins American Century and immediately outlines her plans to revive the label. Kip follows an unlikely path towards recruiting Alex, a new lead guitarist for the Nasty Bits. Zak allows his raw emotions to surface at the end of his daughter’s Bat Mitzvah.

5. He in Racist Fire

March 13, 2016

Devon joins Richie for dinner with Hannibal and Cece to help keep an important client in-house. Meanwhile, Kip is in danger of sabotaging a gig opening for the New York Dolls if he doesn't shake up the band; Richie tries to poach a known talent from a rival; and Jack gets a new job after a tense meeting with Julie.

4. The Racket

March 6, 2016

Richie feels embarrassed at a record producers' banquet whilst a junior A&R rep attempts to court Alice Cooper.

3. Whispered Secrets

February 28, 2016

At a record producers' banquet honoring Maury Gold, Richie is embarrassed when the emcee, rival record exec Jackie Jervis, makes a joke about the failed German Polygram deal. Later, Maury and mob cohort Corrado Galasso pay a visit to American Century to probe a detective's recent inquiry, and Joe Corso drops by to pitch Richie a demo by his banquet date, Nora.

2. Yesterday Once Again

February 21, 2016

With German Polygram executives in town to complete the deal for American Century, Richie delivers a bombshell that shocks the prospective buyers, as well as his partners, Zak Yankovich, ACR's head of promotions, and Skip Fontaine, head of sales. When the dust settles, the Germans storm out of the ACR offices, leaving Richie to face the ire of Zak, Skip and company attorney Scott Levitt.

1. Pilot

February 14, 2016

The series opens in New York City in 1973. Richie Finestra, president of American Century Records, along with his partners, agree to sell his struggling company to German Polygram, in a deal that includes an impending distribution agreement with Led Zeppelin. But a disastrous meeting indicates the sale is going south.

Description

The series is an exploration of how music and the industry took on a life of their own during the tumultuous period of American history. Filled with music from major musical artists from the time and referenced by the cast, Vinyl captures the spirit of the era with a nod to some of the real characters who made it happen.

The show is set in stark contrast to the polished, clean-cut image of many of today's moguls, and Finestra is a reflection of the era's excessiveness, corruption, and moral depravity. As Richie struggles to balance his role as a businessman with his love for rock and roll, he becomes entangled in a web of deceit, blackmail and tragedy.

The cast of Vinyl is a winning lineup that, in addition to Cannavale, includes Ray Romano, Olivia Wilde, Ato Essandoh, Max Casella, P. J. Byrne, J. C. MacKenzie, Birgitte Hjort Sorensen and a host of others. However, it's the dynamic between the leads, Cannavale and Wilde, as Finestra and his artistic wife, Devon, that is particularly intriguing. Though they are struggling to keep their relationship together, their love for music and each other will keep them coming back as they face the devastating consequences of their choices.

No character is left untouched in Vinyl. The viewer is taken through the often ugly, but always engaging world of the music industry, and its colorful characters. Through it all, the true force of the show is Finestra, who is a captivating character, edgy, charismatic, arrogant, and yet undeniably grateful for the chance to make his mark on the world.

The visual style of Vinyl is slick and edgy, and the soundtrack is a force to be reckoned with. The use of iconic music from the era, from glam rock to punk, is used to give the show an intricate layer of atmosphere. The opening sequence, featuring the soaring Electric Light Orchestra track âStranger,â cues audiences to the time period in which it is set. From there, the show uses its soundtrack expertly, weaving a tapestry of sounds that reflects the zeitgeist of the time, from Black Sabbath to David Bowie.

Vinyl takes the gritty and the rawness of the era and expertly channels it into this intense drama, filled with intense and sometimes tragic character moments, political battles, and amazing musical performances that punctuate the series.

Overall, Vinyl is a textured, high-quality drama that captures the soul of the 70s. It's a gritty, unvarnished snapshot of a time and place akin to Mad Men or The Sopranos in its ability to transport audiences back to a place few may have experienced. Though the series only had one season before it was canceled, the legacy of Vinyl in the pantheon of music-centric dramas is assured.

Vinyl is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (10 episodes). The series first aired on February 14, 2016.

Where to Watch Vinyl

Vinyl is available for streaming on the HBO website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Vinyl on demand at Google Play and Apple TV.