The first programme in a 3-part documentary series for BBC4 presented by Grammy Award-winning soul and jazz star Gregory Porter. In this episode Gregory explores 100 years of voices on the brink, those that go one note higher, turn it up to eleven and make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. Popular music's most magnificent, virtuosic voices... the Showstoppers.
Starting with the world's first pop superstar, legendary Italian tenor Enrico Caruso, Gregory reveals his favourite vocal virtuosos - the genius of Ella Fitzgerald, the soul of Mahalia Jackson, the power and stagecraft of Freddie Mercury, the artistry and extravagance of Prince, and the modern melisma of Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.
Featuring interviews with Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, Beck, George Benson, Adam Lambert and Wendy & Lisa.