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Arts & Culture

The Greatest Duets: It Takes Two

Music artist Kenny Loggins
Courtesy of Shout! Factory
Music artist Kenny Loggins

Airs Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV

Since the earliest days of pop music, great vocal duets have conveyed a unique emotional power that has given them a special place in the hearts of music fans everywhere.

Song List

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” – Elton John and Kiki Dee

“Up Where We Belong” – Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes

“We’ve Got Tonight” – Kenny Rogers and Sheena Easton

“Solid” – Ashford and Simpson

“How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye” – Luther Vandross and Dionne Warwick

“Tonight I Celebrate My Love” – Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack

“I Knew You Were Waiting for Me” – Aretha Franklin and George Michael

“On My Own” – Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald

“I Got You Babe”– Chrissie Hynde & UB40

“Don’t Know Much” – Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt

“Islands in the Stream” – Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

Singer/songwriter Kenny Loggins shines a light on 12 of the greatest duets in music history, showcasing some of the best superstar pairings in classic music videos and television performances, including Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney, Elton John and Kiki Dee, Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes and many more.

From the passionate expression of undying friendship in Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” to the timeless power of love described by Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt in the Grammy®-winning “Don’t Know Much,” "The Greatest Duets: It Takes Two" covers a wide range of the pop music landscape, with classic hit songs from the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

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Duets can also yield unexpected pairings of artists from different genres, as evidenced by country legend Kenny Rogers singing with pop star Sheena Easton on a stirring rendition of the Bob Seger classic “We’ve Got Tonight,” or soul diva Aretha Franklin joining pop icon George Michael on the 1987 hit “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me.”

Movie soundtracks have been a fertile ground for hit duets, and the classic featured here won the Academy Award® for Best Original Song. From 1982’s hit movie "An Officer and a Gentleman," it’s Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes performing “Up Where We Belong.”

What lies at the heart of a great duet, however, is a great song. This special features 12 memorable and timeless songs that are brought to life by the talents of the incredible vocalists who made them hits.