Vinyl was created by Mick Jagger, Martin Scorsese, Rich Cohen and Terence Winter, blending the perspectives of a rock legend and an acclaimed filmmaker on the 1970s New York music scene.

The pilot episode was directed by Martin Scorsese himself, based on a teleplay by Terence Winter and George Mastras from a story by Cohen, Jagger, Scorsese and Winter.

James Jagger, Mick Jagger's own son, was cast as Kip Stevens, the lead singer of the fictional proto-punk band Nasty Bits.

Terence Winter left his position as showrunner at the end of the first season due to creative differences, with Scott Z. Burns taking over the role afterward.

Martin Scorsese later said in 2018 that he was heartbroken over the show's cancellation, calling the decision 'tragic' and admitting the series might have succeeded better had he directed all the episodes himself rather than just the pilot.

HBO renewed Vinyl for a second season just days after its premiere on February 18, 2016, but reversed the decision and cancelled the series entirely on June 22, 2016.

The series featured numerous actors portraying real historical music figures of the era, including David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Robert Plant, John Lennon, Bob Marley, and Andy Warhol, among others.

The Icelandic rock band Kaleo released their song 'No Good' in November 2015, months before the show's premiere, and it was later featured in the show's second trailer as well as on the official soundtrack.